This movie follows the story of a young black man in a a group of hard partying but well meaning white guys. It's deadly accurate in setting the tone of what that feels like but kinda falls short in the end. Kind of like a more realistic Get Out without the sci-fi twist to it. A good watch if you've ever been in this situation before!
57 Reviews
It's Get Out without the Horror and Craziness
Jared_Andrews12 June 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Labeled this year's Get Out, Tyrel faces a high bar to reach. This comparison, no matter how bloated it makes the expectations for this film, is a logical one.
A black man named Tyler (Jason Mitchell) attends a birthday party in New York with his friend's old friends, all of whom are white. He's uncomfortable, in part, because he's the one stranger at a party of close friends, a situation familiar to all of us. To add to his unease, the guys hurl microaggressions his way, mishearing his name as Tyrel and later saying to him, "you must really hate Trump."
To cope with his discomfort, Tyler spends time with the homeowner's dog, pretends to fall asleep early and constantly stares at his phone. One detail reminiscent of Get Out is the lack of full function of his phone. In that movie, Chris's phone runs out of battery. In this one, Tyler's phone doesn't have call service in the house. In each instance, this reduces our protagonist's contact with the outside world, furthering his discomfort.
The parallels to Get Out are plentiful. Certain moments even appear lifted directly from the film. In an eerily similar scene, Caleb Landry Jones, who plays the creepy brother in Get Out and Pete in in this movie, makes awkward comments at dinner and instigates a wrestling match with Tyler. At the very least, such scenes felt unoriginal.
Despite the parallels, Tyrel does plenty to distinguish itself. While the Armitages from Get Out were clearly villainous, the people Tyler meets aren't bad guys. They likely aren't even aware of the effect that their comments have on Tyler.
Instead of embodying the role of white evil incarnate, they play well-meaning but somewhat ignorant white guys. To drive home this point, the group includes a gay man who is the recipient of a couple awkward comments but is still very much loved and accepted by the others.
On the surface, they treat Tyler as a new friend and welcome him to the group. But in practice, amid the raucous reunion and drinking games, it becomes clear the friends in this group spend most of their time with white people, resulting in a lot of uncomfortable interactions. That's what most racism looks like in 2018.
Director Sebastian Silva handles the subtleties of these interactions delicately. He clearly understands and depicts racial dynamics as well as the anxiety brought on by feelings of alienation from a group. This story isn't necessarily about race: it could have functioned in much the same way if Tyler were white or if all the friends were black, since he would still experience alienation as a new person in an unfamiliar setting. The racial element adds another layer to the story; an important one.
Ultimately, the story's racial and social commentary about today's America (Silva says he made this movie specifically for Americans) make it worth seeing, even if some of the dizzying camera movements and filmmaking techniques comes up a bit short of excellence. Hopefully those potential viewers-those guilty of microaggressions, even unintentional ones- that would benefit most from seeing this film will actually watch it.
For all the tension one may experience while watching this film, there is never any real cause for alarm. The characters remain civil to each other. In that sense, it's like Get Out without the payoff of a gripping horror story narrative.
Or perhaps there is a payoff, just one a different sort. Tyler ends the weekend with promising new friendships. Maybe the payoff is seeing that we still have hope.
A black man named Tyler (Jason Mitchell) attends a birthday party in New York with his friend's old friends, all of whom are white. He's uncomfortable, in part, because he's the one stranger at a party of close friends, a situation familiar to all of us. To add to his unease, the guys hurl microaggressions his way, mishearing his name as Tyrel and later saying to him, "you must really hate Trump."
To cope with his discomfort, Tyler spends time with the homeowner's dog, pretends to fall asleep early and constantly stares at his phone. One detail reminiscent of Get Out is the lack of full function of his phone. In that movie, Chris's phone runs out of battery. In this one, Tyler's phone doesn't have call service in the house. In each instance, this reduces our protagonist's contact with the outside world, furthering his discomfort.
The parallels to Get Out are plentiful. Certain moments even appear lifted directly from the film. In an eerily similar scene, Caleb Landry Jones, who plays the creepy brother in Get Out and Pete in in this movie, makes awkward comments at dinner and instigates a wrestling match with Tyler. At the very least, such scenes felt unoriginal.
Despite the parallels, Tyrel does plenty to distinguish itself. While the Armitages from Get Out were clearly villainous, the people Tyler meets aren't bad guys. They likely aren't even aware of the effect that their comments have on Tyler.
Instead of embodying the role of white evil incarnate, they play well-meaning but somewhat ignorant white guys. To drive home this point, the group includes a gay man who is the recipient of a couple awkward comments but is still very much loved and accepted by the others.
On the surface, they treat Tyler as a new friend and welcome him to the group. But in practice, amid the raucous reunion and drinking games, it becomes clear the friends in this group spend most of their time with white people, resulting in a lot of uncomfortable interactions. That's what most racism looks like in 2018.
Director Sebastian Silva handles the subtleties of these interactions delicately. He clearly understands and depicts racial dynamics as well as the anxiety brought on by feelings of alienation from a group. This story isn't necessarily about race: it could have functioned in much the same way if Tyler were white or if all the friends were black, since he would still experience alienation as a new person in an unfamiliar setting. The racial element adds another layer to the story; an important one.
Ultimately, the story's racial and social commentary about today's America (Silva says he made this movie specifically for Americans) make it worth seeing, even if some of the dizzying camera movements and filmmaking techniques comes up a bit short of excellence. Hopefully those potential viewers-those guilty of microaggressions, even unintentional ones- that would benefit most from seeing this film will actually watch it.
For all the tension one may experience while watching this film, there is never any real cause for alarm. The characters remain civil to each other. In that sense, it's like Get Out without the payoff of a gripping horror story narrative.
Or perhaps there is a payoff, just one a different sort. Tyler ends the weekend with promising new friendships. Maybe the payoff is seeing that we still have hope.
Slice of life drama interesting ride
desertship-782469 December 2018
Tyrel is the only black male in a group of white birthday revellers in a secluded cabin.
The movie shows Tyrel's uneasiness in being amongst this group, having probably never been exposed to such group before. As the movie unfolds, Tyrel got drunk and lost all inhibition and there we see the ugly side of someone not belonging in a group situation. Interesting look at the differences of culture, through music and substance abuse, ultimately showing that we are more alike than not.
What's the point of making a movie with no story?
deloudelouvain3 April 2019
I honestly don't know why everybody is comparing this movie with Get Out. Both are completely different stories and the only thing they have in common is that there is one black man surrounded by white people. Get Out is a great movie, Tyrel is not even a movie to me, it's more like watching drunk people at a party where you are the only sober one. Tyrel, which is not even his name, is the most annoying character of this movie, bad luck for us that he is the major character. The story, if you can call that a story since nothing significant is happening, is just a long wait for action or whatever and at one point you just realize that this won't be happening in this movie and then you just lose interest. I had to fight not to fall asleep with this one, and it was in the middle of the day.
If you're white you might not get it. If you're black, you will.
benton040711 December 2019
It's a vibe. It's realistic. No there is no crazy ending but that's not the point. The racism
in the movie is real life. It's uncomfortable but without the crazy ending. I liked it. I liked how it left me like "What the hell?"
Not Get Out but does not lack substance
TorsoDahlia13 April 2019
One of those films that looked interesting by the plot but comes up short in the end. That being said, there are good performances by the lead Jason Mitchell, Christopher Abbott & the great Caleb Landry Jones of Get Out fame. Tyler his name in the film feels out of place by how a bunch of guys act when drunk and partying for ones birthday and some choice words taken out of context can come off creepy while others were in reality poor taste to some degree. Still, the other guys at the get together are not far right or even textbook republicans but a group of guys being guys and acting dumb while not over analyzing things, which are done today constantly. These guys are anti-Trump and essentially a bunch of white guys being guys in and only environment. No ill will is hanging around ourside of Tyler who just feels out of place. Mitchell sells this well. Anyone who is a guy knows things let loose when around each other. Comparing this to Get Out is a bit of a cop out even though Tyler feels like an outsider until he makes a fool of himself later on. I take away the decent to good performances but not much else. A better script would have helped but this is not a waste of time if you just take in the film in itself.
Kiddies won't understand
mountaintop-8543319 December 2020
Unique slice of life buddy film about the subtleties of racism and toxic masculinity
dobraashe2 March 2022
Great acting by the lead actor and supporting cast - many of whom I've seen in other independent projects. What a pleasure to watch actors who make acting seem so effortless.
On the most basic level, this is a film about not fitting in and the things we do in an attempt to fit in, even when it goes against our true nature. We've all been there! Whether it's based on the color of our skin, religion, socioeconomic status, gender, or political affiliations. The film beautifully and realistically touches on all of these elements.
Like the movie Get Out, Tyrel looks at racism but from a very different perspective and approach. Both are excellent films worth watching.
On the most basic level, this is a film about not fitting in and the things we do in an attempt to fit in, even when it goes against our true nature. We've all been there! Whether it's based on the color of our skin, religion, socioeconomic status, gender, or political affiliations. The film beautifully and realistically touches on all of these elements.
Like the movie Get Out, Tyrel looks at racism but from a very different perspective and approach. Both are excellent films worth watching.
Terrible...
aburgan14 March 2019
A little suspenseful ride!
ldepov-0614020 April 2019
You should watch this movie from an inner perspective. In my opinion, the writer was trying to take the viewer on a mystery ride. The plot set your emotion to think something horrific is going to happen; specially when achole is involved. Nice movie with classic music to add to the mood.
Confused to say the least...
candibrown-933099 December 2018
I didn't really get the point of this film whatsoever...Is it just me...? I'm thinking maybe I'd have to be a white man or a black man to relate to it all...I don't feel like you had to be either to understand the premise of get out...I thought it was mostly boring with nothing to remember or take from it...
Weak!!
ymitchell444612 March 2019
gloomy manhood
claudioszynkier13 December 2018
Comparing this movie with "Get Out" reaches the pinnacle of superficiality. It's far more, far better than "Get Out" in the first place. It is the most vivid piece of art I can remember, in recent movie history, about toxic, gloomy manhood. it's, in fact, a thriller of small gestures, under the castle of the warm, "cozy" friendships. Great one. Great pace, without getting to explain every detail, which is what the lazy audience wants.
SNOOZE ALERT!
kirbylee70-599-52617921 May 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I can't decide where to begin with this one. So I guess the best way is to just describe the plot of this film, thin and nearly as non-existent as it is.
A group of friends is gathering for a weekend at a cabin in the Catskills to celebrate the birthday of one of them. Going along on the trip is Tyrel whose business partner and friend is one of the group. It should be noted, because you will have it pushed in front of you non-stop once the film gets going, that Tyrel is the only black man among the group.
The friends that know one another try to make him welcome but the discomfort he feels at being the only black man there shows. Still he ties to fit in as they drink, heavily and also non-stop, throughout the weekend. Uncomfortable moments arise, friendships are tested and by the end of the weekend *spoiler alert*...nothing happens.
I'd seen a lot of people referring to GET OUT when talking about this film but the only comparisons there are between the two films is a black man in a Caucasian setting. While GET OUT was a fantastic movie this one is perhaps one of the all-time worst movies I've ever seen. It made me think of the movies we were forced to watch in film school that a teacher claimed was art simply because it made no sense and did nothing to entertain. It's the kind of movie that a film critic will praise for fear of others thinking they just aren't in tune enough to understand the film rather than just say this is crap.
The movie costs me nothing financially to view and still I felt ripped off. It was 86 minutes of my life that I will never be able to retrieve. I could have been washing my hair or clipping my nails and been more entertained. This is the type of movie you hold onto and force someone to watch when you want information from them. After 30 minutes they'll tell you anything you want to know.
A group of friends is gathering for a weekend at a cabin in the Catskills to celebrate the birthday of one of them. Going along on the trip is Tyrel whose business partner and friend is one of the group. It should be noted, because you will have it pushed in front of you non-stop once the film gets going, that Tyrel is the only black man among the group.
The friends that know one another try to make him welcome but the discomfort he feels at being the only black man there shows. Still he ties to fit in as they drink, heavily and also non-stop, throughout the weekend. Uncomfortable moments arise, friendships are tested and by the end of the weekend *spoiler alert*...nothing happens.
I'd seen a lot of people referring to GET OUT when talking about this film but the only comparisons there are between the two films is a black man in a Caucasian setting. While GET OUT was a fantastic movie this one is perhaps one of the all-time worst movies I've ever seen. It made me think of the movies we were forced to watch in film school that a teacher claimed was art simply because it made no sense and did nothing to entertain. It's the kind of movie that a film critic will praise for fear of others thinking they just aren't in tune enough to understand the film rather than just say this is crap.
The movie costs me nothing financially to view and still I felt ripped off. It was 86 minutes of my life that I will never be able to retrieve. I could have been washing my hair or clipping my nails and been more entertained. This is the type of movie you hold onto and force someone to watch when you want information from them. After 30 minutes they'll tell you anything you want to know.
Feeling of alienation known to all expats
mia-for28 January 2019
Tyrel's feeling of not belonging is cause by the already strong group of friends who does not seem to be willing to include him in their group but rather to strut around showing of with their inside jokes and shared memories. Obviously race place a big role and their egg walking trying not to be racist is even worse. Michael Cera man can you even act in any move where you don's just get to party with your buddies?
Scary AF!
flizobrown8 April 2020
nothing
SnoopyStyle28 February 2020
Tyler and his friend drive out into the country for a birthday party gathering. He soon realizes that he's the only black guy in the group. The party starts and the drinking gets out of hand.
There is not enough drama. I'm not asking for a murder mystery. This is not Get Out and I accept that. It does need to be something. Something needs to happen. It needs some gay panic or race revelation. He's running down the road and he could have run into a cop car. I thought something could have happened with the mixed race couple. In the end, nothing happens but a lot of drinking and jibber jabbing.
There is not enough drama. I'm not asking for a murder mystery. This is not Get Out and I accept that. It does need to be something. Something needs to happen. It needs some gay panic or race revelation. He's running down the road and he could have run into a cop car. I thought something could have happened with the mixed race couple. In the end, nothing happens but a lot of drinking and jibber jabbing.
False Advertising
FridayElmStreet7 January 2022
So I got a DVD of a lesser know film called Tyrel with Michael Cera. This has to be one of the worst advertised films ever. It was advertised as a horror film. On the cover a quote compares it to Get Out. On the back of the DVD it says Racial Satire mixed with Horror. It was complete with some sinister looking pics like a guy in a mask and another guy holding a knife.
I watched the film. I kept waiting for this to get suspenseful or scary. It was hard to describe. Its like a comedic drama about a young black man invited to a weekend with a bunch of white guys. He feels uncomeatable. Just people hanging out. Its so bizzare that it was advertised and sold as a horror/thriller when there is no terror or horror.
The film itself I will give a 3/10. A few points because I was not bored watching it. Just surprised and not in a good way.
I watched the film. I kept waiting for this to get suspenseful or scary. It was hard to describe. Its like a comedic drama about a young black man invited to a weekend with a bunch of white guys. He feels uncomeatable. Just people hanging out. Its so bizzare that it was advertised and sold as a horror/thriller when there is no terror or horror.
The film itself I will give a 3/10. A few points because I was not bored watching it. Just surprised and not in a good way.
Nothing like Get Out
marie-ell199330 August 2019
Despite the negative reviews, I thought I'd watch it anyway.
It was advertised as being on par with Get Out. In my opinion, it wasn't even in the same sphere. I thoroughly enjoyed Get Out, but Tyrel left me completely bored and waiting for a story to unfold, which never happened.
If the whole purpose and intention was to make Tyrel look and feel uncomfortable and the white guys to look as mad as a box of frogs, then the writer did his job. But as for an enjoyable film and a great story, it never happened.
Where is the movie?
havlin3317 August 2019
It is like someone went to a party and filmed it on their cell phone. It is just boring. If Tyrel felt uneasy at the party is was his issue. The guys looked out for him and cared about him. Just a stupid movie with no point.
Good acting in a bad movie
jordan224029 June 2019
Warning: Spoilers
As others have stated, nothing happens in this movie. I thought it might turn into a good slasher flick, but the only violence is a mild wrestling scene, though the black man does raise his voice for an instant in another scene. If this is supposed to be some kind of social commentary, it's a complete fail, unless you figure the black guy should have been offended by the white guys acting like white guys. Naturally, anyone in a gathering where everyone else is different from them would feel a bit awkward, so it's basically a film about a guy feeling awkward. Thankfully it was under 90 minutes long.
Avoid the clickbait trailer...
Meekl_DF2 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Obviously, most of the detractors of this film are unaware of the previous works of the excellent Chilean director Sebastián Silva, but I don't blame them, the clickbait trailer is so misleading that it would be logical to think that it would be a classic suspense movie. This film wasn't ever intended to be the next Get Out.
As in his previous feature films, the director place us to a common situation, in this case a gathering of friends in which only one of them is unknown to the rest, the protagonist of this story named Tyrel. From this simple premise, an ordinary suspense develops where the fear of feeling different from the majority, of not fitting in with the other guys, makes Tyrel taking part in the boyish way of having a good time with an excesive alcohol consumption. That error leads Tyrel to the inevitable, give up on himself until he finally collapses.
As in his previous feature films, the director place us to a common situation, in this case a gathering of friends in which only one of them is unknown to the rest, the protagonist of this story named Tyrel. From this simple premise, an ordinary suspense develops where the fear of feeling different from the majority, of not fitting in with the other guys, makes Tyrel taking part in the boyish way of having a good time with an excesive alcohol consumption. That error leads Tyrel to the inevitable, give up on himself until he finally collapses.
This movie is awkward af
msalget7 August 2019
Get Out-like movie this is not
lectra-7365118 December 2018
I have no idea how these movies actually make it this far. There was no story. Unless just watching someone be uncomfortable because of their color is some art house creation. I expected some sort of action as I loved the movie Get Out. Instead all I got was over an hour of watching a guys drinking weekend. Not even interesting enough as background noise while I did other tasks in the house. I dont like bashing movies but I get so annoyed when some people give high undeserving ratings and try to force a story that just isnt there for their own gain.
They should change the plot description to "a movie about nothing"
ferloinvinnie-3601110 May 2019
I had high hopes based on the actors that are in this alone, however, I was let down. They list it as a comedy but there's no funny parts. They list it as a drama yet there's no substance. The movie has no direction whatsoever and no real story. It's not unnerving, it's not tense, it's literally nothing. I feel like was trolled for an hour and a half just waiting for the movie to finally start. This truly is a movie about nothing except for guys hanging out and drinking and doing things that no one would ever do. What a waste of time.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews