"Hey, bro, have you seen that movie, Get Out?"
"Nah, but I've heard a lot of people talking about it. You seen it?"
"I did, man—that film's absolutely worth checking out. Martin made a real black movie."
...
"Get Out—you seen it? Man, that movie's pure fire. Righteous black dude wipes out the evil whites. It's gotta be the motherfucking masterpiece of the century."
"For real? Blacks wiping out whites?"
"Yeah, go see it—you won't be disappointed."
...
"Bro, you haven't seen Get Out yet? You're seriously behind. For real, this is a must-watch for black folks—not seeing it is your loss."
"Around here, everyone's talking about this movie. Is it really that good?"
"Better than you can imagine—trust me."
In black communities, conversations like this were everywhere, and Get Out's buzz spread further and further.
...
Key and Peele was a hot new American sketch comedy show.
Starring Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele.
Both had been part of the MADtv cast before.
MADtv was a FOX show that started in 1995, airing Saturdays late night, 60 minutes per episode, focusing on parody sketches. Many famous American shows got spoofed, like Prison Break, Sex and the City, Desperate Housewives, Lost, and more.
After leaving MADtv, Keegan and Jordan created Key and Peele, with solid ratings.
The sketches covered various North American social issues, especially African American culture and race relations—funny yet deep. [Lately, there are tons of their sketches on TikTok and similar—pretty hilarious.]
One day, Jordan Peele knocked on Keegan-Michael Key's office door and casually walked in, plopping onto the sofa.
Keegan was typing on his computer, outlining the next episode's content. Seeing his old buddy enter, he didn't look up: "What's up?"
"There's this movie—uh, super buzzed about lately. I think we should check it out."
"Oh, I know." Keegan kept typing. "You mean Get Out, right?"
"Yeah! So, bro, wanna go tonight?"
"Heard tickets are hard to get?"
"No worries—I scored two from Catho."
"Just two?" Keegan still typed away. "What about you?"
"Wait, two means one for me and one for you, motherfucker—who you planning to take?"
"Of course, my girl!"
"Fuck, no way!" Jordan snapped.
Keegan finally hit the last key, looked up: "Haha, chill—just kidding. What time's the show?"
"8:30—prime time."
"Cool, so we don't have to hang in the city too late."
Both lived in the suburbs—though black, who doesn't want a better, safer environment?
They wouldn't get robbed by their own color just because of skin.
That evening.
When Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele arrived at the theater, lines had formed.
Both noticed among the moviegoers, blacks made up at least a third.
"This movie's really that popular with black folks?" Keegan said, surprised.
"Of course—that's why I dragged you here." Jordan replied.
Five minutes later.
Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele sat in the theater, waiting for the film.
The whole place was majority black.
They buzzed with discussion.
"Bro, first time I'm this hyped for a movie."
"Hey, you know, for that pile of bullshit reasons, I had directing dreams, and this story feels like something I'd make in the future—from my head, just not dug out yet."
"Nah!" Jordan Peele tried explaining but shook his head. "Whatever—close enough."
Keegan added: "Bro, don't sweat that pile—don't let a bunch of assholes get to you."
Jordan Peele nodded. "I know, I know—I'm just not resigned to it."