Us
By Gregory McLinden
Jordan Peele has returned. After winning an Oscar for the incredible Get Out, he is back with his sophomore film. This is where some writers/directors fall foul, having been as successful both commercially and critically as Get Out was, it was always a risk that when Jordan Peele returned with his second film it may have been that Get Out was a one hit wonder. This worry was instantly shattered when Peele dropped the first trailer and now iconic poster for Us with the infamous scissors. Peele completely knocked it out of the park with Us, he both wrote and directed, meaning his vision is clear throughout. Us is also a much more obvious horror than Get Out, of course there are elements of Get Out that are horror (such as the incredible opening scene), however, in Us it is a lot clearer that Peele embraced the horror genre and really went big with it. Truly embracing the horror genre gives us some incredibly tense moments and scenes where you could easily be forgiven for forgetting to breathe as you watch these interactions occur on screen between the family and their tethered counterparts. The acting in Us is beyond incredible and to this day I still cannot fathom how Lupita Nyong'o didn't receive an Oscar nomination for her acting as both Red and Adelaide in this film as it is easily some of the best acting in any film in 2019. Similarly sometimes child actors can be a bit hit and miss, and in Us not only did the child actors have to do their role as a Wilson but also their terrifying doppleganger and so being able to do this is a huge feat, even for big actors, so for two relatively unknown actors this was a huge risk. But worry not, both Shahadi Wright Joseph and Evan Alex were absolutely outstanding and effortlessly brilliant throughout. But all of this comes down to Peele and his ever increasing ability to write unique and original films which beg for repeat viewing. Peele has shown both with Get Out and Us how to write a successful horror that isn't necessarily out to give you nightmares but will certainly make you feel uneasy and uncomfortable, with real hide behind the pillow moments. Peele started his career in comedy and that is not something he forgets, and the ability to be laughing out loud one moment then less than a minute later you're having to put your hand over your eyes, this is a true testament to Peele. He is one of the most unique voices of our generation and I personally cannot wait to see how he will terrify us next, but regardless of what it might be, I'll certainly be there on opening day to watch it.
logline: A family take a trip to the beach, little do they know what is waiting for them when they arrive there. As the terror begins a startling discovery is made: the people terrorising look exactly like them…
My Favorite Characters:
Lupita Nyong'o as Adelaide and Red - Lupita is truly one of the best actors of our generation, and to be alive at the same time she is acting is a true privilege. In Us she really shows her versatility as an actor, she plays a mother and wife and watching her in this role you see the true love she has for her family and the wanting to protect them and going to the ends of the earth to try and do this, something we see her do several times throughout. But it is when she is playing Red that Nyong'o really shines. The effortless and suaveness of Red is something only an incredible actor such as Nyong'o could pull off, she is the leader of an uprising and her presence on screen is something you truly feel terrified and threatened by, and this is all down to her incredible acting ability. I genuinely can't imagine anyone else in the role of Adelaide or Red.
Winston Duke as Gabe and Abraham - Gabe is the Dad of the family, Abraham is his evil doppleganger both are incredibly played by Winston Duke. Before Black Panther I think it would be fair to say Duke was a relatively unknown actor however since that he has burst onto the scene. In Us he is truly hilarious as Gabe, the joker of the family, with constant Dad jokes and producing some of the biggest laugh out loud moments of the film. As Abraham however is truly terrifying, Abraham doesn't speak at all but he doesn't need to for you to know that he truly is a force to be reckoned with and not someone you would want to upset, or have as an evil doppleganger trying to kill your family!
This movie is rated 15 in the UK, and R in the US. Here’s why:
Bloody Violence
Intense Scenes and Horror
Strong Language
Something I liked: Peele started his career in comedy and this is definitely not something he forgets or neglects in his films. Both Get Out and now Us have truly shown that comedy does have a place alongside horror, in both films there are properly laugh out loud moments which you'll be laughing about for days after you watch the film. In Get Out this was the character of Rodd Williams, in Us whilst there isn't one main funny character one particular scene involving Ophelia (a clear mockery of Amazon's Alexa) features a scene completely soundtracked by N.W.A.'s F*ck Tha Police. If one character had to be picked as the funniest I think most people would agree it's Gabe played by the ever incredible Winston Duke, who you might recognise from Marvel's Black Panther. The comedy in Us is incredible and really helps split up the more tense moments in the film, and I really hope this is something Peele continues in any new film he may make.
Fun Fact: The film grossed $71 million on its opening in the USA, this is the highest opening weekend for an original horror film; and the second highest opening for an original live action film, it loses the top spot only to Avatar which grossed $77 million on its opening weekend.
Where to Watch:
UK: NowTV and Sky Cinema
US: HBO
Image Source: Amazon