Jordan Peele has carved out a distinct niche in modern horror with movies that delve deep into social issues while maintaining their genre-driven appeal. His thought-provoking storytelling has often led his films to be categorized within the ‘elevated genre’ movement, an approach studios like A24 have popularized with their cerebral, arthouse horror films.
However, Peele has denounced the idea of grouping his films with what has been described as elevated or ‘art horror,’ arguing that his films stand apart from the stylistic trends that define A24’s acclaimed horror catalog.
Jordan Peele does not prefer categorizing his movies under elevated genre films
Elevated genre movies, particularly elevated horror, have become quite popular in recent years, with critically acclaimed films from A24 such as Hereditary, The Witch, and, most recently, Heretic.
Some of the most acclaimed work of Jordan Peele, including Get Out, Us, and Nope, is also often categorized under the label due to their blend of horror with social commentary and thought-provoking themes.
However, the filmmaker himself rejects the idea of “elevated” films and has expressed frustration with the term. “I don’t want people to think that I’m trying to make ‘elevated’ films,” he told The Verge.
The filmmaker pushed back against the notion that horror films with deeper themes deserve a prestige label, emphasizing that his ideas stem from personal experience rather than a desire for highbrow categorization.
“I think that’s a trap that I don’t quite appreciate because I, you know, I like making f**ked-up films,” he said, emphasizing that he enjoys making unconventional, disturbing, and challenging movies.
“I like making weird movies that I’m really just not supposed to make — and sometimes challenge people on the other side of things as well,” he continued. And Peele is not alone in his disdain for the elevated genre movies.
Filmmakers push back against the pretentious ‘elevate horror’ label
Another filmmaker who has expressed his disdain for the term ‘elevated horror’ has been John Carpenter. Known for iconic classics like Halloween and The Thing, the filmmaker firmly rejected the notion altogether.
“I don’t know what that means,” he told The A.V. Club during a discussion over elevated horror. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he further stated, talking about acclaimed genre movies like Midsommar and Hereditary.
He further argued,
There’s metaphorical horror. But all movies have … they don’t have messages. They have themes. Thematic material, and some horror films have thematic material. The good ones do.
Carpenter and Jordan Peele are not alone in their criticism of the term ‘elevated horror.’ Many argue that the label does a disservice to the genre’s rich history, implying that traditional horror is somehow inferior.
Critics also view it as a pretentious categorization that overlooks the depth and artistry of classic horror films. Additionally, traditional horror fans feel excluded with such ‘elevated’ films as they downplay the classic genre elements like jump scares and gore.
However, despite the criticism, with studios like A24 heavily investing in socially conscious horror with distinct aesthetics and themes, elevated horror seems destined to remain a dominant force in the genre.
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