The opening sequence of Jordan Peele’s groundbreaking 2017 psychological horror film Get Out sets an eerie, unsettling tone that grips audiences from the very first frame. It’s a masterclass in tension, featuring a young Black man walking down a quiet suburban street at night, seemingly lost, before being violently kidnapped. This brief yet impactful scene introduces themes of racial anxiety, surveillance, and vulnerability—key elements that thread throughout the entire film. But who exactly is this man? Why does he appear so early, and what role does he play in the larger narrative of Get Out?
While he appears for only a few minutes, the man at the beginning of the film holds crucial symbolic weight. In this comprehensive exploration, we dive deep into the identity, significance, and real-world inspiration behind the character. We’ll examine the actor who portrayed him, the thematic implications of his abduction, and how this scene anchors one of the most talked-about horror films of the 21st century.
The Role and Identity of the Opening Character
The Character: Andre Hayworth / Jeremy
The man who appears in the opening scene is officially named Andre Hayworth, though he is referred to as Jeremy by the two white men who abduct him. This dual naming holds symbolic relevance: Andre is his real identity, while Jeremy is a name assigned to him by the kidnappers—erasing his individuality and reducing him to a tool for their sinister purposes. This moment foreshadows the central theme of identity theft and cultural erasure that becomes crucial as the film unfolds.
Andre is a Black man studying at the University of Michigan. We learn in later scenes that he is the best friend of the film’s protagonist, Chris Washington, portrayed by Daniel Kaluuya. Andre’s disappearance haunts Chris throughout the film and becomes a central mystery. While audiences may initially perceive Andre’s kidnapping as a stand-alone event, it is, in fact, intrinsically connected to the Armitage family’s operations.
His Disappearance and the Abduction Scene
The sequence begins with Andre speaking on the phone with his mother. He mentions he’s in a predominantly white neighborhood called Richmond Hills, claiming he’s at his girlfriend’s house but seems disoriented. Suddenly, headlights approach. Two white men emerge from a car, one aggressively asking, “Hey, what are you doing here?” before incapacitating Andre with a stun gun and dragging him into the vehicle.
This chilling scene is significant not just for its suspense but for what it represents in American culture. The fear of being profiled, attacked, or disappearing in a white neighborhood—especially at night—resonates deeply with Black viewers. It taps into real-life experiences of racial profiling and microaggressions, making the horror feel both fantastical and grounded in reality.
The Actor Who Brought Andre to Life
LaKeith Stanfield’s Performance
The man from the beginning of Get Out is played by award-winning actor LaKeith Stanfield. Known for his intense and nuanced performances in films like Shortcomings, Judas and the Black Messiah, and Sorry to Bother You, Stanfield brings gravitas even to roles with minimal screen time. His portrayal of Andre in just under three minutes establishes an atmosphere of dread and vulnerability that carries through the rest of the film.
Stanfield’s character was more than just a plot device; his performance signals the audience that this film will operate on multiple levels—social commentary wrapped in horror.
Why LaKeith Stanfield Was Chosen
Jordan Peele, the film’s director and writer, has spoken in interviews about his intention to cast actors who could convey deep emotional resonance through subtle expressions. Though Andre’s role is brief, his fear, confusion, and sense of displacement are palpable. Stanfield, with his background in portraying complex socio-political narratives, was a natural fit.
Interestingly, Stanfield had previously worked with Peele in the Comedy Central series Key & Peele, where the two showcased their comedic chemistry. Get Out marked a turning point for both artists, shifting from satire to socially charged horror.
Symbolism and Thematic Significance
Racial Fear and the Black Male Experience
The opening of Get Out immediately invokes the traumatic reality of racial injustice. The quiet suburban street, bathed in streetlight, transforms into a threatening landscape. Andre’s discomfort isn’t just about being lost—it’s about being out of place in a space not meant for him. As a Black man in a white neighborhood, he becomes an outsider, a target.
This moment critiques the illusion of post-racial America. Even in safe, affluent areas, Black individuals can face hostility, surveillance, and violence. The kidnapping isn’t random; it’s a calculated act, indicating that Andre was specifically targeted due to his race and physical attributes.
The Loss of Identity and Bodily Autonomy
Andre’s abduction is not merely physical—it is psychological and existential. Later in the film, it’s revealed that the Armitage family is involved in a brain transplant operation that replaces the consciousness of elderly white individuals with that of younger Black people. While Andre’s consciousness is not used for a transplant (he was deemed “defective”), his body is still imprisoned in the Sunken Place.
This reflects broader concerns about the commodification of Black bodies, whether through slavery, cultural appropriation, or systemic exploitation. Andre’s fate mirrors historical and contemporary instances where Black individuals are stripped of autonomy and reduced to physical assets.
The Sunken Place and Psychological Imprisonment
Although Andre never physically appears again after the opening scene, his presence looms large—especially when Chris discovers Andre inside the body of Walter, one of the Armitage family’s servants. When Chris finally confronts the real Andre (via hypnosis), he sees a version of his friend still conscious but frozen, screaming silently from the depths of the mind—a state Peele refers to as the “Sunken Place.”
This metaphor represents systemic oppression: Black voices heard but not seen, minds active but unable to control their bodies. Andre becomes a living ghost, a constant reminder of what’s at stake.
Connections to the Main Plot and Chris Washington
A Best Friend’s Disappearance
Chris’s concern for Andre is more than just friendship—it’s central to his emotional state throughout the film. When Chris mentions to Rose Armitage that he’s worried about Andre, she dismisses it casually. This moment subtly underscores the lack of empathy shown by many white characters toward Black trauma.
Andre’s disappearance is framed as an emotional anchor for Chris. It makes Chris more paranoid, more attuned to subtle threats. His alertness isn’t just personality—it’s survival instinct.
Parallels Between Andre and Chris
While Andre is abducted in the open, Chris is drawn into a more subtle and insidious trap—invited into a world that outwardly appears welcoming. Both men are in white, affluent spaces. Both are objectified for their physical prowess and mental resilience. The major difference: Chris has support (Rod, the TSA agent) and begins to recognize the danger.
Andre’s fate—being overwritten and rendered helpless—serves as a warning of what awaits Chris if he doesn’t escape.
Behind the Scenes: Why the Opening Scene Was So Effective
Building Suspense Without Exposition
Jordan Peele masterfully avoids over-explaining Andre’s story at the beginning. We don’t know why he’s there, who he is, or what’s going to happen. This lack of context makes the scene even more terrifying. The silence, the tension, the sudden violence—all contribute to a cinematic punch that forces the audience to lean in and pay attention.
Peele has said in interviews that he wanted to open with a character “who looked like someone you’d recognize,” someone relatable so that the horror would feel personal.
The Use of Music and Sound Design
The score in the opening, composed by Michael Abels, combines traditional strings with haunting vocalizations—specifically, a wordless choral phrase that sounds like “get out.” This repetition implants the film’s title subliminally and creates an otherworldly aura. The subtle audio cue mirrors the Sunken Place’s psychological torment: words you can hear but not speak.
Visual Storytelling and Symbolism
The setting—tall trees, isolated homes, perfectly trimmed lawns—evokes the idealized American suburb. But it feels unnatural, almost artificial. The eerie glow, the silence, the lack of Black neighbors—all signal that this space is exclusive, even hostile.
When the car approaches, the lighting emphasizes the racial contrast: Andre, darker-skinned, stands in the open; the attackers remain in shadow, their faces not fully visible. This visual dissonance reinforces the idea that the threat isn’t just individual, but systemic.
The Real-World Inspirations Behind the Scene
Racial Profiling and Missing Black Men
The opening abduction mirrors real-life cases of missing Black men who vanish in white-dominated areas, often without media attention or thorough police investigation. Jordan Peele has acknowledged the influence of these stories, citing the disparity in how missing persons cases are treated based on race.
For example, cases like Trayvon Martin, Ahmaud Arbery, and Tamir Rice demonstrate how young Black men can be perceived as threats simply for existing in certain spaces. Andre’s abduction is not just fiction—it reflects documented fears.
The Critique of Liberal Racism
One of the film’s subtler themes is the danger of “well-meaning” white liberalism. The Armitage family doesn’t see themselves as racists—they hire Black servants, praise Black physical attributes, and claim progressive values. But their actions reveal a more insidious form of racism: the fetishization and consumption of Blackness.
Andre’s kidnapping is not carried out by overt racists in hoods, but by seemingly ordinary, respectable men. This reflects how systemic oppression often operates under a veneer of politeness.
Impact and Legacy of Andre’s Character
Setting the Tone for the Entire Film
By beginning with Andre’s abduction, Peele immediately establishes that Get Out will not be a conventional horror film. It is socially aware, psychologically layered, and emotionally grounded. The protagonist isn’t just fighting monsters—he’s confronting racism, gaslighting, and existential erasure.
Andre’s brief appearance is a microcosm of the film’s central horror: being seen not as a person, but as a commodity.
LaKeith Stanfield’s Career Trajectory
Though his role was short, LaKeith Stanfield’s performance contributed to his ascent as one of the most compelling actors of his generation. Following Get Out, he continued to earn acclaim for roles in The Photograph, Capone, and Zola, and won a BAFTA for his portrayal of Fred Hampton in Judas and the Black Messiah.
His work in Get Out demonstrated that even limited screen time can leave a lasting impression when backed by emotional truth and social relevance.
Additional Context: What Happens to Andre in the Sequel?
Andre in Jordan Peele’s Broader Universe
While Get Out does not have a direct sequel (as of 2024), Jordan Peele has expanded his horror universe with films like Us and Nope, each exploring themes of identity, race, and societal anxiety. Andre Hayworth has not reappeared, but his legacy persists metaphorically.
There has been fan speculation about a potential sequel involving the aftermath of the Armitage operation, Rod’s investigation, and the fate of other missing individuals like Andre. Should a continuation be made, Andre’s unresolved arc would likely be central.
The Fate of Andre: Dead or Trapped?
The film never explicitly states whether Andre’s body is still alive. However, because his consciousness was placed in the Sunken Place but not transplanted into another host, it’s implied that he may still be alive physically—though mentally imprisoned within Walter’s body.
This ambiguous fate makes him a tragic figure: neither dead nor free, existing in a liminal state created by white supremacy’s technological perversions.
What the Sunken Place Represents in Real Life
The Sunken Place has become a cultural metaphor for systemic disenfranchisement. People of marginalized identities—particularly Black Americans—often describe experiences where their voices are ignored or suppressed despite vocalizing their concerns. Social media, activism, and mental health discourse have adopted “the Sunken Place” as an expression for feeling silenced.
Andre, as its original inhabitant, symbolizes collective trauma and the struggle to break free from imposed invisibility.
Conclusion: Why the Opening Man Matters
The man from the beginning of Get Out—Andre Hayworth, portrayed by LaKeith Stanfield—is far more than a plot device to kick off the story. He is the emotional and thematic cornerstone of Jordan Peele’s masterpiece. His abduction serves as a warning, a memory, and a manifestation of real-world racial fears.
From his dual identity as both Andre and “Jeremy,” to his haunting presence in the Sunken Place, the character challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about race, identity, and belonging in America. He embodies the anxiety that runs beneath the film’s surface: the terror of being seen for your body but not your soul.
Get Out redefined modern horror by merging genre conventions with urgent social commentary. The opening scene, lasting less than three minutes, exemplifies this blend perfectly. Through Andre, Peele reminds audiences that horror isn’t just about jump scares or monsters—it’s about the nightmares we live every day.
And that’s why the guy from the beginning of Get Out isn’t just a character. He’s a symbol.
In Summary: Key Points About the Opening Character
- His name is Andre Hayworth, but he is misnamed “Jeremy” by his abductors.
- He is played by LaKeith Stanfield, known for his powerful dramatic performances.
- Andre’s abduction mirrors real-life cases of racial profiling and missing Black men.
- His consciousness is trapped in the “Sunken Place,” a metaphor for systemic silencing.
- His fate underscores the film’s themes of bodily autonomy and racial commodification.
- The opening scene sets the tone for one of the most socially resonant horror films ever made.
In a film filled with twists and revelations, the identity and significance of the man at the start remain one of its most haunting elements. He is forgotten by the world around him—but not by the audience. And that’s exactly how Jordan Peele intended it.
Who is the man featured in the opening scene of Get Out?
The man featured in the opening scene of Jordan Peele’s 2017 psychological horror film “Get Out” is Andre Allen, portrayed by actor LaKeith Stanfield. Andre is a young Black man walking through a quiet, predominantly white suburban neighborhood in North Vale, New York. He appears disoriented and uneasy, speaking on the phone with his friend, who warns him to leave if he feels uncomfortable. Moments later, Andre is ambushed and kidnapped by unseen assailants, setting a chilling tone for the film.
Andre Allen’s character serves as a crucial narrative device, immediately establishing the film’s themes of racial anxiety, surveillance, and vulnerability. Though he appears only briefly, his abduction foreshadows the central plot involving the Armitage family’s sinister brain-transplant scheme. LaKeith Stanfield, known for his powerful performances in films like “Crown Heights” and “Jingle Jangle,” brings an authentic sense of dread and realism to the role, making the scene both unsettling and memorable.
Is Andre Allen a real person or fictional?
Andre Allen is entirely a fictional character created for the movie “Get Out.” He is not based on any specific real-life individual, but his experience reflects real-world phenomena such as racial profiling, the fear Black people may face in overwhelmingly white neighborhoods, and the concept of being “taken” against one’s will—literally and metaphorically. The character exists within the film’s narrative to unsettle the audience and suggest the dangers that lie beneath seemingly peaceful suburban surfaces.
While Andre Allen is not real, the emotional resonance of his character stems from broader societal issues. The scene mirrors experiences many Black individuals have reported when navigating unfamiliar or unwelcoming environments. Jordan Peele, the writer and director, crafted Andre’s introduction to evoke fear rooted in realism rather than supernatural elements, grounding the horror in racial tension and cultural context, which adds depth and urgency to the film’s message.
What happens to Andre Allen after the opening scene?
After the opening abduction, Andre Allen resurfaces later in the film under the name “Logan King,” attending a party at the Armitage family estate as the fiancé of their daughter, Rose. During the party, Chris notices something off about Logan’s behavior—his awkward mannerisms and his unexpected knowledge of Chris’s personal details. It becomes clear that Logan is not himself; his consciousness has been overwritten by the brain of a white man from the Order of the Coagula, a secret society that trades Black bodies for white immortality.
Andre’s fate illustrates the horrifying central mechanism of the film: the transplantation of white minds into Black bodies while the original consciousness is trapped in the “Sunken Place.” His physical body is now controlled by a white man named Roman Armitage’s grandfather. Though Andre’s consciousness is still technically alive, it is powerless and isolated. His tragic transformation underscores the film’s critique of commodification and erasure of Black identity under systemic racism.
Why did the filmmakers choose LaKeith Stanfield for the role?
LaKeith Stanfield was chosen for the opening role due to his ability to convey intense vulnerability and emotional depth in minimal screen time. His performance immediately draws viewers into the film’s atmosphere of paranoia and dread, establishing the stakes before the main story begins. Stanfield’s subtle expressions and naturalistic delivery make Andre’s fear palpable, creating a powerful emotional anchor for the audience.
Beyond his acting skills, Stanfield is known for his roles in socially conscious projects that explore identity, race, and justice. His casting reinforced the film’s thematic intentions and credibility. Jordan Peele has often emphasized the importance of casting actors who not only possess talent but also understand the cultural weight of the material. Stanfield’s presence signals from the outset that “Get Out” is more than a typical horror film—it’s a commentary on racial dynamics in America.
What is the significance of the opening scene in Get Out?
The opening scene of “Get Out” functions as a microcosm of the entire film’s themes. It introduces the audience to the central fear: a Black man in a white space being targeted solely because of his race. Andre’s abduction foreshadows the fate that awaits the protagonist, Chris, if he’s not cautious. It creates an atmosphere of unease and suspicion that persists throughout the narrative, challenging viewers to question who can be trusted and what dangers might be lurking.
Additionally, the scene breaks traditional horror tropes by placing a Black man as the initial victim, subverting the common expectation of a white protagonist facing supernatural threats. This choice reflects Jordan Peele’s intention to explore racism as a real and pervasive horror. The unsettling quiet of the suburb, the unseen attackers, and the abruptness of the capture all reinforce the idea that danger can be invisible, institutional, and systemic—making the horror deeply personal and socio-political.
What is the ‘Sunken Place,’ and how does it relate to Andre Allen?
The “Sunken Place” is a psychological prison created in the minds of Black individuals whose bodies have been taken over by white people in “Get Out.” It is a metaphysical space where the original consciousness remains fully aware but entirely powerless, unable to control their body or communicate with the outside world. This concept symbolizes the experience of being silenced, marginalized, and stripped of agency—central themes in the film’s critique of racism.
Andre Allen becomes one of the first victims trapped in the Sunken Place. Though he is physically present in the Armitage household as Logan King, his mind is no longer in control. Chris later discovers Andre’s true identity when he sees a news story about his disappearance. This moment confirms Chris’s worst fears and serves as a wake-up call that the seemingly friendly environment conceals a horrific truth—Andre’s entrapment exemplifies the ultimate loss of self, which the film portrays as a modern form of slavery.
How does Andre Allen’s role contribute to the overall message of the film?
Andre Allen’s brief but impactful role sets the emotional and thematic foundation for “Get Out.” As the first victim shown in the film, his experience signals that the horror is rooted in real social issues, particularly the exploitation and objectification of Black bodies. His abduction by privileged white individuals reflects historical and contemporary patterns of racial injustice, making the film’s allegory both timely and deeply unsettling.
Moreover, Andre’s fate personalizes the broader critique of cultural appropriation and systemic racism. He is not merely a victim of violence, but of erasure—his identity, his voice, and his autonomy are stolen. His presence in the film, even after his physical disappearance, serves as a haunting reminder of what’s at stake. By beginning with Andre, the film forces viewers to confront the uncomfortable truth that racism can be polite, insidious, and deadly—all while hiding behind a smile.