Jordan Peele cements his status as a horror auteur with the release of his second film, “Us,” on Friday.
One of its stars, Winston Duke, has said, “After this movie, the word ‘Jordan Peele-ian’ is going to enter the film lexicon, and I stand by that.” But the director was developing his style long before his Oscar-winning 2017 movie “Get Out” — on the Comedy Central sketch comedy show “Key & Peele.”
Here are 10 skits from the show’s five seasons that showcase Peele honing his horror chops.
White zombies
Two survivors of a walking-dead apocalypse wonder why nobody’s eating them.
Breakfast of goofballs
A nod to “The Shining” concludes this hotel-based sketch.
Nightmare roomie
A sit-down between bros is haunted by an apparition a la “The Ring.”
New blood
A newly initiated bloodsucker questions why vamps are so goth.
Tiny terror
Peele does an unsettling Forest Whitaker impression.
The bad seed
A dying child creeps out his doctor.
Clowns are horrifying
The “Saw” series as experienced by extreme optimists.
Sequels are scary
A roomful of screenwriters brainstorm for this cheesy 1990 movie.
Oh, the horror
The walk home after a scary movie screening is fraught.
Fright flick faux pas
Two friends — and wannabe filmmakers, clearly — yell at the screen.
