When a filmmaker comes out swinging with a freshman effort that slingshots them into the stratosphere, the anticipation for their sophomore effort becomes something of a make-or-break moment. Can you capture lightning in a bottle twice? Can you live up to your own hype?
Jordan Peele's freshman effort, Get Out (2017), was politically charged horror that heralded a new cinematic visionary. The world waited on tenterhooks as soon as he next feature, Us, was announced.
So. Has he got it? Did he bottle the lightning a second time?
(I'm going to be intentionally vague in my review, so as not to spoil the film for anyone that wants to approach it with virgin eyes)
I. What Is It?
This is the story of a family. This is the story of survival. This is the story of the Wilsons, and their fight against... themselves.II. A Wonderful Cast
Lupita Nyong'o is just damn good. The whole cast is, but the movie rests itself on the shoulders of her dual performances. And she delivers. You practically forget that you are watching the same actress. She turns motherly affection to steely murderous resolve on a dime. She is both predator and prey, and allows each role, Adelaide and Red, to have distinct physicalities and emotional ranges.
Winston Duke is all charisma. He plays Dad Energy perfectly: he's got the puns, he's got the goofy charm, and he plays a father with real care. He is also an imposing physical force. His Abraham is brutish and nasty and monstrous.
The kids aren't to be outdone, either. Shahadi Wright Joseph and Evan Alex as Zora and Jason, breath life both into their Wilson roles and their creepy doppelgängers.
We also get fun turns from Tim Heidecker and Elizabeth Moss as the Wilson's friends, Josh and Kitty.
The film doesn't feature a weak performance. Everyone is on their game, selling Peel's material with vim and vigor.
Winston Duke is all charisma. He plays Dad Energy perfectly: he's got the puns, he's got the goofy charm, and he plays a father with real care. He is also an imposing physical force. His Abraham is brutish and nasty and monstrous.
The kids aren't to be outdone, either. Shahadi Wright Joseph and Evan Alex as Zora and Jason, breath life both into their Wilson roles and their creepy doppelgängers.
We also get fun turns from Tim Heidecker and Elizabeth Moss as the Wilson's friends, Josh and Kitty.
The film doesn't feature a weak performance. Everyone is on their game, selling Peel's material with vim and vigor.
III. Interpretational
At first, in my journal, I wrote that this movie "is not political, so just drop it." But I am not sure that is entirely true. The film is filled to the brim with undercurrent and metaphor. The good news is that Peele refuses to give easy answers. He lets his work speak for itself. He allows the metaphors and imagery to stew and be interpreted.
That makes a film powerful. That allows a film to take on layers of meaning. It allows a crowd to discuss, excitedly, on the way to the car, next to the water cooler the next day, or on the internet.
I know what this film means to me, or, rather, I am beginning to know it. I'm still letting all of the pieces tumble around my brain. But the movie may mean something completely different to you, and the great news is that Peele's film allows for readings.
It's been said that great art doesn't say, it reads. Us is a film that reads; or invites its viewers to read.
That makes a film powerful. That allows a film to take on layers of meaning. It allows a crowd to discuss, excitedly, on the way to the car, next to the water cooler the next day, or on the internet.
I know what this film means to me, or, rather, I am beginning to know it. I'm still letting all of the pieces tumble around my brain. But the movie may mean something completely different to you, and the great news is that Peele's film allows for readings.
It's been said that great art doesn't say, it reads. Us is a film that reads; or invites its viewers to read.
IV. Beautifully Constructed
Jordan Peele knows what he is doing behind the camera. He has vision. Us proves that the competency on display in Get Out was no fluke. And it can't just be said that he works with great people, though he does. Mike Gioulakis' photography is gorgeous, and unsettling; his sense of depth and balance in each frame is gorgeous. Michael Abels' score is creepy and weaves beautifully into the narrative, making The Luniz' "I've Got 5 On It" instantly spine-tingling and iconic. Peele is able to work with these artists to usher in something new, which is what all great directors do: he marries their talent to his vision.
Jordan Peele has three credits on this film: written, produced and directed by. The man has avoided the sophomore slump, and I, for one, am a huge fan.
Jordan Peele has three credits on this film: written, produced and directed by. The man has avoided the sophomore slump, and I, for one, am a huge fan.
V. Humor and Dread
Peele's script, and the cast's wonderful performances, establish a crucial balance of tone that is difficult to get right. Too much comedy, and the film veers into the absurd; too much tension and the audience gets exhausted. Us' sense of humor acts as a constant release of pressure. There are a lot of heady, emotional, tough ideas to mull over, but the film doesn't berate you, or let you sit in ugliness for too long.
This movie is genuinely funny.
It is also genuinely terrifying.
I love it when I get both.
This movie is genuinely funny.
It is also genuinely terrifying.
I love it when I get both.
VI. Horror of a Different Stripe
Often people think of horror films and they think of excess: blood spatter and spilled guts, foul language and naked bodies. Us doesn't get frivolous. People die, yes, but the movie never shows too much, or glorifies in its own bodily fluids. There is no unnecessary bacchanal, either. The film knows that its real horror lies in its ideas, not its viscera; Its humor in its stars' charm rather than sophomoric jokes and cruelty. I like that.
Jordan Peele is a true-blue fan of the horror genre. He knows how to scare you. But he also knows how to make you think, and make you laugh. Above all else, he knows not to insult you.
Jordan Peele is a true-blue fan of the horror genre. He knows how to scare you. But he also knows how to make you think, and make you laugh. Above all else, he knows not to insult you.
VII. Fighters
The biggest problem I always have with horror films is how weak the protagonists almost always are. The plot necessitates that they don't fight, or make stupid mistakes, or refuse to see what's in front of their faces the entire time. The Wilsons are different
The Wilsons are fighters. They get to business right away. They switch into survival mode, and fight for their lives in intelligent, and clever ways. They work together and help each other. They are a family. I liked that a lot.
The Wilsons are fighters. They get to business right away. They switch into survival mode, and fight for their lives in intelligent, and clever ways. They work together and help each other. They are a family. I liked that a lot.
VIII. Should You See It?
There's something for everyone, here.
Miscellany
- You weren't imagining things: Jordan Peele provides the narration in the funhouse.- Winston Duke almost didn't get the part, due to his imposing stature and build. Peele was unsure if the audience would buy the family's peril if they had a literal superhero as a father (Duke also had a supporting role in Black Panther [2018]). Duke's easy charm won Peele over, however.
- There are a number of references to other famous horror films: the Tyler twins' bodies are arranged in similar fashion to the Grady twins in The Shining (1980), and, in the flashback scene, characters mention that a film is being shot on the boardwalk, which is a reference to The Lost Boys (1987).
- The film was shot on a $20 million budget, and has a current world box office take of $87 million. It also boasts a 94% Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes.
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