The theory that connects ‘Being John Malkovich’ and ‘Get Out’
Besides being awards-friendly movies that served as breakthrough debut features from filmmakers with a background in comedy, there isn’t a whole lot that directly connects Spike Jonze’s Being John Malkovich with Jordan Peele’s Get Out – but that’s just at first glance.
One movie focuses on John Cusack’s unemployed puppeteer as he stumbles upon a portal that leads directly into the psyche of the titular actor, leading to a questionable business scheme. The other follows Daniel Kaluuya’s Chris as he finally meets the parents of his girlfriend, only to uncover a dark, disturbing and diabolical truth.
Being John Malkovich was nominated for three Academy Awards in the ‘Best Director’, ‘Best Original Screenplay’, and ‘Best Supporting Actress’ categories. Get Out would match the first two, secure a win for Peele in the latter, and further recognition in the ‘Best Picture’ and ‘Best Actor’ races.
It’s the former’s supporting nod that gave rise to a popular fan theory, though, one that’s since been acknowledged and accepted as official by both of the directors responsible. In Being John Malkovich, Katherine Keener plays Maxine Lund, whereas in Get Out, she’s the unscrupulous psychiatrist Missy Armitage. Both stories focus heavily on manipulating the subconscious, which is where the theory comes into play.
It was posited that Maxine and Missy are not only the same person, albeit with decades separating them and a more cynical worldview in place. By extension, that would mean Bradley Whitford’s Dean Armitage is actually carrying around the mind of Cameron Diaz’s Lotte Schwartz, with Maxine’s daughter Emily growing up to become Alison Williams’ Rose.
Not only that, but Richard Herd’s Roman Armitage – the patriarch of Get Out‘s twisted central family – potentially crossed paths with Maxine and Lotte at some point after the events of Being John Malkovich. He placed Diaz’s spirit into a Whitford-shaped vessel and welcomed them into his clan via something as simple as a name change, which allows Emily to become Rose, who is also technically Cusack all along.
For his part, Peele welcomed it with open arms, telling Vanity Fair that while he was aware of the coincidences, he hadn’t put much thought beyond that into the theory until he heard it for himself. “I love this theory. I have heard this theory,” he said. “It was definitely not lost on me that I was able to get Catherine Keener in her second like weird perspective, living in someone else’s brain movie.”
“We joked about that, and I’m a huge fan of the movie Being John Malkovich,” he continued. “I also sat down with Spike Jonze a couple months ago, told him this theory myself, and he chuckled. So, as far as I’m concerned, it’s true.” It wasn’t his intention, but thanks to the joining of several dots, Peele has confirmed beyond reasonable doubt that Get Out really does take place in the same universe as Jonze’s existential favourite.
