Us is a 2019 American horror film written and directed by Jordan Peele.
The film stars Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseph, Evan Alex, Elisabeth Moss, and Tim Heidecker, and follows a family who are confronted by their doppelgängers.
After the successful yet smart Get Out, Jordan Peele returns to scare us again with the simple premise mentioned above
Does he succeed? Let’s Find Out
This Script employed by Peele carries a lot of context and hidden symbolism when reflected upon on second thought
He chooses to play with a Modern Day Commentary on the current world scenario of the Fortunate V/S the Less Fortunate
This is displayed in the way he goes about setting up tropes in the narrative right from the starting sequences
The most refreshing aspect of his script happens to be the eeriness he infuses into the proceedings
Certain scenes play out on your mind in the vein of his Directorial Debut Get Out
Need Proof? (No Spoilers Here, I Swear!)
- The Sequence where the young Adelaide encounters some one when she is lost
- The first encounter between the Wilson’s and their Doppelgängers
- When Adelaide goes after Red in search of her son
There are quite a few which create a similar impact through the course of the movie
- So what doesn’t work?
Once you have endured the innovative narration of Us and reach the climax, there are certain plot points that will need a suspension
There are questions that arise as the movie stays in your head long after it’s over
However, this suspension requires you to inculcate an iota of disbelief without looking for explanations
This is exactly how the aspect that doesn’t work for Us converts everything that works in it’s favor
- Now, let’s find out what works
The Cinematography by Mike Gioulakis is instrumental in creeping us out
Certain Scenes, Shots and Framing of Sequences create the much needed feeling of dread, despair and paranoia
The Score by Michael Abels pushes us off our seats and we don’t notice because we are too occupied getting creeped out
- Lastly, what elevates Peele’s vision are the performances
Picking on any specific one would be an insult to the entire cast
Each and every Actor ensures that the story drives across it’s point in your face and also does a good job of scaring us
The variations the cast creates between the Characters and their Doppelgängers is distinctly separate and done to perfection.
However, a mention goes out to Lupita Nyong’o who leads the cast and delivers a mind boggling act
Watch her in the sequence where she affirms with glee: “We’re Americans”, A pure feast for the eyes!
Another thing that works in favor of the story are the contextual references, symbolism and allegory to the Modern Day World and state of World Affairs. Pay close attention and you will enjoy spotting most of them
- The Verdict?
Giving this one a miss in Theaters would be a Crime because Movies of this Nature are rarely made.
If they are, as audiences we owe it to the Magic of Cinema to witness this Quirky, Irreverent, Eerie Creation out there on the Big Screen
So, what are we waiting for?
Us got to Get Out for a Date with the Creepies at The Theaters….
Us
