It’s hard to believe that just 5 years ago, most audiences would never associate Jordan Peele with Horror. Peele was most known as half of the Key and Peele comedy sketch series at the time. Half a decade later, Peele is a revered director whose production company is responsible for critically and commercially celebrated Horror projects (Get Out, Us, Lovecraft Country, Candyman, etc.) as well as the current #1 movie in the country, Nope.
Peele’s work is accessible and visible with major studio backing, so his films have served as many audiences’ first Horror experience. Recently, artist Adam Ellis praised the director by making a statement a little too bold for Peele’s liking. Ellis went to twitter to share his viewpoint stating, “I know this is a hot take, but at what point do we declare Jordan Peele the best Horror director of all time? Can you think of another Horror director that had 3 great films, let alone 3 in a row? I can’t.”
Ellis’ controversial statement caught the attention of none other than Peele himself.
“Sir, please put the phone down I beg you,” he responded via Tweet. “Sorry. I love your enthusiasm but, I will just not tolerate any John Carpenter slander!”
This interaction went viral, with movie fans joining in on the conversation. Many cited Wes Craven (Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream, The Hills Have Eyes,) John Carpenter (Halloween, The Fog, The Thing,) and George A. Romero (Night of the Living Dead franchise) as fellow Horror directors with at LEAST 3 great films.
James Wan (Saw, The Conjuring, Insidious,) Sam Raimi (The Evil Dead, Evil Dead II, Army of Darkness,) and Alfred Hitchcock (Psycho, Vertigo, The Birds) definitely have streaks of their own. Which Horror directors would you add to the list?