Oprah's Super Soul Super Soul Special: Jordan Peele: Can Film Change Our Culture?
Nov 12, 2025
In a captivating conversation, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Jordan Peele shares the journey behind his groundbreaking film, "Get Out." He spent seven years crafting a story that brings horror to life through the lens of racial identity. Jordan reveals how his mixed upbringing influenced his work and discusses the role of horror in addressing societal fears. He reflects on his emotional Oscar nominations, the film's budget surprises, and the cultural impact of cinema in promoting empathy. Plus, he shares thoughts on staying grounded amidst success.
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Seven Years Crafting A Personal Film
- Jordan Peele spent years conceiving Get Out as a personal hobby and designed it as the favorite movie he had never seen.
- He treated himself as the first audience and wrote scenes to satisfy that inner viewer.
Horror As A Safe Way To Face Fear
- Peele values horror because it lets audiences safely confront suppressed fears together in a theater.
- Shared fear experiences can create personal progress by preventing explosive repression.
Low Budget, Massive Cultural Reach
- Get Out had a modest $4.5–5M budget but expanded massively at the box office, surprising Peele and others.
- Peele admits he expected a strong black audience response and thought some people might react very negatively.