Having directed just three movies so far with yet another one set for release, Jordan Peele has sparked debate among viewers. Some firmly believe that this Academy Award–winning screenwriter and filmmaker is the latest master of horror cinema, whereas others dismiss his work as overhyped and merely mediocre. Which side of the fence do you find yourself on in this discussion?
Each successive cohort of moviemakers has its distinct roster of iconic directors across various genres. During the 1980s, Steven Spielberg was unrivaled in the domain of action-adventure movies, much like how Alfred Hitchcock commanded the thriller genre during the 1950s and ’60s. Horror isn’t quite as straightforward a category as one might assume; effectively frightening viewers requires genuine skill, particularly when avoiding overused “jump scare” techniques. Take, for instance, the declining appeal of
The Conjuring
series by James Wan
Has shown that audiences can grow tired of encountering the same horror tropes repeatedly at the cinema, and this is precisely where Jordan Peele steps in.
Though most people might remember Jordan Peele from his comedy days in
Key & Peele
, the U.S.-based film director demonstrated his capability as a skilled thriller director upon releasing
Get Out
In 2017, it received enormous critical praise.
Get Out
’s approach seemed refreshing compared to the sea of unoriginal fright fests where the storyline was often seen as a nuisance obstructing their cherished jump scares. Despite this, the uniqueness of
Get Out
It’s not strictly a “pure” horror film. Instead, the movie should be categorized more accurately as a thriller; one where “terror”—the unsettling sense of foreboding before the real “horror” unfolds—is far more common than scenes of startling visuals or graphic violence. In numerous aspects,
Get Out
acted as the opposite of contemporary horror movies.
Jordan Peele’s next film,
Us
, could be seen as a continuation of the themes he explored in
Get Out
These issues typically manifest as racism in America and class disparities. Nonetheless, this is where flaws in his filmmaking approach start to become evident—particularly when factoring in that Peele both writes and directs these movies.
In 2019, the same year as
Us
When it was released, Jordan Peele also took part in reviving the classic science fiction/h horror anthology series.
The Twilight Zone
. Similar to the initial series, this new one
Twilight Zone
tackled modern societal issues through a fantastic lens—though Peele’s approach was significantly more overt compared to the Rod Serling iteration. It appears that Peele prioritizes addressing his social anxieties more than crafting a compelling horror movie. In doing so, he has essentially reversed the direction taken by James Wan: focusing on narrative structure and character development rather than jump-scares—which would not be problematic were it not for certain critics hailing him as the next David Lynch.
Regardless of your political views or opinion on filmmaking, it’s clear that horror films have consistently reflected social concerns. A skilled director aims to conceal the core messages within these movies—presenting them in an engaging format for viewers to appreciate. If we consider the initial work,
Dawn of the Dead
Peele’s critique of American consumerism offers insight into how a top-tier horror filmmaker should address societal issues—indicating that such a film could teach Peele a lot about maintaining equilibrium between style and depth, all without coming off as overly preachy.
So far, every Jordan Peele horror movie,
Get Out
(98% on Rotten Tomatoes)
,
Us
(93% on Rotten Tomatoes)
and
Nope
(83% on Rotten Tomatoes)
, has been deemed overhyped by segments of the horror community. That said, this does not imply these movies lack quality—they certainly qualify as good films. However, they might not be as revolutionary as the industry portrays them to be.
It’s evident in every aspect of this situation that Jordan Peele excels as a director but falls short as a masterful horror filmmaker. His upcoming project, without a title yet, might be his attempt to conquer the genre once more. The future will reveal whether Jordan Peele can meet the lofty expectations placed upon him by critics who crowned him the successor to horror’s throne.
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Do you believe that horror filmmaker Jordan Peele is overhyped, or do you feel his movies genuinely merit all the acclaim they receive?
Jordan Peele: Heir To Horror’s Crown Or An Overrated Director?
Written by
Tito Pernalete
for
Fortress of Solitude