Us is a horror movie written, directed and produced by comedian turned horror writer Jordan Peele. Us is Peele’s second film following his successful directorial debut in 2017 with Get Out. The movie follows a family going on vacation, when suddenly doppelgänger versions of themselves start to take over their vacation and hijinx ensue.
Of all of the key elements in this movie, the family dynamic is the most essential to pull off. The movie almost does this well, but falls just short of the goal. It seemed that whenever the family was together, there was never really a moment of them just talking. Whenever they would, it felt like Peele was trying to cram as many jokes between them as he could.
Speaking of jokes.
A lot of the comedic dialogue in the movie was one-liners and some cheap gags. I’m not one who thinks that all comedy in horror is awful, but the way it was integrated into this movie just rubbed me the wrong way. Much of the dialogue left me thinking to myself, “would they really be saying that right now?” Most of the jokes in the movie that made me laugh were some of the more subtle jokes added in the background.
The ending is well set up through the movie, but maybe a little too well. The twist ending is a bit predictable, and so the shock didn’t really hit me. The twist also doesn’t change much of the plot. It recontextualizes some of the movie coming before it, but not to the extent that requires any more than a rewatch. It’s not a horrible ending, it just wasn’t very satisfying.
Speaking of not satisfying, the explanation Peele gives for the doppelgängers existing is a little difficult to believe. I’m not one for movies giving perfect explanations for their ideas and whatnot, I just want to leave the theater trying to interpret the meanings or think about the ideas presented, rather than having more questions about the origin of the doppelgängers and how exactly they work. I like having the baddies in a horror movie be unknown, but this feels like a strange attempt to half-heartedly explain things in the story and try to flesh out the metaphor the movie is playing at.
But holy moly, the movie is so incredibly suspenseful. The idea of having something after you that looks like you, thinks like you, but wants you dead more than anything is a horrifying concept that is utilized well in the film. The way the film is edited and shot is executed perfectly to get the maximum amount of tension possible.
The score of this film really gets the audience into the mood to be spooked. The way the movie turned its main song, I’ve Got 5 On It, into a haunting violin piece and jingle is so cool. This movie also has several scenes throughout with ill-fitting music that keeps the movie so engaging and fun, as well as haunting and tense.
The performances in the movie are stellar. The main actress, Lupita Nyong’o, plays the mother “Adelaide” so well, but also plays the haunting doppelgänger threatening to ruin everything like a pro. The same can be said for the rest of the family, except for some of the youngest children. Evan Alex, the actor who played “Jason,” just does not provide an incredibly interesting performance, and neither does Madison Curry, who played young “Adelaide.” They have their creepy moments, but, overall, I was not impressed by them.
Us is a solid horror film with some creepy commentary of the world and terrifying concepts that will keep you up at night. There is no true doppelgänger to this movie.
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