Michael Abels on the Gospel Horror and Creepy Bluegrass Behind ‘Get Out’ Ahead of New York Philharmonic Performances

Composer Michael Abels reveals the creative process behind the unsettling score for Jordan Peele’s ‘Get Out,’ as the New York Philharmonic prepares to perform the music live alongside screenings. Abels explains how he blended elements of gospel horror and eerie bluegrass to heighten the film’s tension and underscore its themes of racial exploitation. The score’s centerpiece, the track ‘Sikiliza Kwa Wahenga,’ features Swahili lyrics warning the protagonist of danger, a choice that deepens the narrative’s cultural resonance. Abels discusses how the music shifts between comforting and menacing, mirroring the protagonist’s psychological journey. With the Philharmonic’s upcoming performances, the score gains new prominence, highlighting how film music can stand alone as a concert work. Audiences will experience the music’s intricate layers in a new way, reaffirming its role in the film’s lasting impact.