Us

Us

Starring Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseph, Evan Alex

Directed by Jordan Peele

The Story:
After experiencing a traumatizing event at the pier during her childhood, Adelaide (Lupita Nyong'o) returns to the beach with her husband Gabe (Winston Duke), daughter Zora (Shahadi Wright Joseph), and Jason (Evan Alex) with apprehension.  At night, they're visited by a mysterious family - who looks exactly like themselves.  As they struggle to survive the night, the family must come together like never before in hopes of making it through and also learning deep-seeded secrets long kept hidden.

The Synopsis:
Jordan Peele was best known for being half the comedic duo with Keegan-Michael Key who both starred in the hit show "Key & Peele," so when word came out that he would not only be directing, but writing, a horror movie, people were skeptical.  The result was "Get Out," one of modern cinema's most prolific and compelling horror films - a movie that did more than just tell a scary story, but instead gave strong undertones about racism and social class, as well as providing a great blend of dark comedy as well.  The film was such a standout, it earned several Academy Award nominations including Peele for Director and the film itself for Best Picture - and Peele won the Oscar for Original Screenplay (something rare for a first-time writer, let alone for horror).  When he announced his next project, the biggest question in everyone's minds is whether or not he was a one-hit wonder.  Now that "Us" is out, the answer is a resounding "no," as he once again provides a thought-provoking horror/thriller mixed with humor and deeper meanings and interpretations that what lies on the surface.

On the surface, the film is about a tight-knit family who goes on summer vacation to the beach, when they're visited by a family of doppelgangers who wish to do them harm.  The start of the film feels eerily similar to another home invasion film "The Strangers," but these intruders are no strangers, and the reason behind their arrival will turn the family's lives upside down.  As always with Peele, there's a deeper meaning to their presence that delves into aspects dealing with the current state of affairs in the country, but ultimately the film is a fun, thrilling, oddly humorous, and deeply intellectual horror survival movie.  It's a film where you will thoroughly enjoy the film for its basics, as well as the deeper connections it makes, because of the excellent directing and writing of Peele and the outstanding performances of the cast.

Shahadi Wright Joseph plays the daughter Zora, the typical tween girl who's constantly on her phone, yet also devoutly a member of the family, who never seems to shy away from being a part of it.  Evan Alex plays the son Jason as a bit aloof (he constantly wears a mask), but incredibly smart for such a young age.  Winston Duke gets to show his comedic chops as the father Gabe, who's mild-mannered and enjoys life, especially when it comes to embarrassing his kids.  Yet the standout is Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong'o (who, sadly, I don't expect seeing garnering another nomination here, even though she obviously deserves it) as Adelaide, who's the matriarch of the family but also the glue that holds the family together - even though she faces her own demons of her past that also showcases her as worried and afraid.  Nyong'o manages to blend both extremes perfectly, but that's just one of her roles here.

Since the invading family is their doppelgangers, the actors also have to reverse roles to play their total opposites.  Zora's twin Umbrae is a ruthless killer who enjoys chasing her prey.  Gabe's double Abraham is a brooding force of a man.  Jason's mirror Pluto is a feral kid with an obsession for fire.  Then there's Adelaide's doppelganger Red, who seemingly is the leader of the family (much like Adelaide is to hers).  Red is extremely cold and calculating, and is the only member of her family that speaks - everyone else communicates through grunts and moans - and her voice easily sends shivers through your spine.  You can't even tell that Nyong'o plays both roles, as she becomes enveloped by both characters in ways that renders her unrecognizable, which is a rare feat to accomplish.

The acting and script are only two parts to the film, and while both are stellar, it would've been less if the cinematography, costume designs, and musical score were off - thankfully every aspect of the film is done with excellence.  Mike Gioulakis (who was also the cinematographer for the fantastic "It Follows") manages to create nerve-inducing moments in the least scary places, such as seeing the feral family standing on top of the driveway, or the overhead Kubrick-inspired shots of the family driving or walking down the beach (whose shadows cast look like the number "1111," which is found often in the film and serves its own meaning).  Costume designer Kym Barrett designed the doppelgangers red jumpsuits in a way that only adds to the uncomfortable nature of their presence, and Peele's computer for "Get Out" Michael Abels returns to induce the chills through our spines with his score.   Then there's the 1995 hit song "I Got 5 On It" by Luniz, which will play on continual repeat in your mind after the film ends.

The Summary:
Proving he's not a one-hit wonder, Jordan Peele again delivers a powerful, thought-provoking horror film that can be enjoyed on the surface level as well as delving into the deeper meanings behind the moments on screen, brought together by a strong family performance led by the amazing Lupita Nyong'o.

The Score: A+