'Us' Review

Apologies for the delay, but I've been busy lately. However, I'll soon make up for it with an early Shazam! review.

'Us' Review

Synopsis: A family's serenity turns to chaos when a group of doppelgängers begins to terrorize them.

Runtime: 116 minutes

MPAA Rating: R (for violence/terror and language)

Who should see it? Adult fans of Jordan Peele and the horror genre. 

Serving as the second feature film written, produced, and directed by Jordan Peele, Us faces audiences two years following the smash success of Peele's directorial debut Get Out. Many will enter the theater with heightened expectations and Get Out at the forefront of their mind. After all, Peele's an Academy Award winner this time around, so it's understandable why one may anticipate greatness once more. Comparisons between Peele's two films are likely, but I assure you they couldn't be more different from one another. Where Get Out's messaging and subject matter was relatively straightforward and easy to digest, Us is incredibly layered with an abundance of subtext beneath the surface.

If you're someone who strives to understand everything that's happening and why, you may consider Us a frustrating experience at the theater. Us is a film that's prime for multiple viewings to unravel the meaning behind much of its symbolic storytelling. You'll get the gist of what's going on, but be curious to uncover even more the next time you watch. Don't worry though, Us requires thought on your part, but there's still plenty of surface level thrills to enjoy.

Peele again demonstrates himself as being quite adept behind the camera, and Us further cements Peele as a filmmaker with a unique voice and propensity for the craft. There's a degree of intricacy and control present throughout the entire film which is scarcely seen in cinemas today. The sound design, editing, and cinematography are all sublime, but it's Michael Abels' exquisitely chaotic score that will be seared into your subconscious for days afterward. It should also be noted that Peele deftly balances humor with suspense once more. There's levity to be found throughout the feature, but it never comes at the expense of undercutting dramatic beats or frightening phenomenon.

However, I'm not ready to call Us a masterpiece just yet. Perhaps I'll change my mind in the coming years as I'm able to revisit Peele's latest, but for now, it's not quite there. The craftsmanship is undeniably impeccable, but the plotting and pacing can feel a little messy at times. There are also some plot reveals which raise many questions I suspect could be solved with additional viewings, and I'm really looking forward to re-evaluating it down the line.

As for the ensemble, each cast member presents dual portrayals of their characters and respective "shadows" to great effect! Lupita Nyong'o commands the screen in particular, depicting a remarkable outward expressiveness and nuanced internal struggle as both Adelaide and Red. I'd daresay it's the best performance I've seen from Lupita Nyong'o, and I sincerely hope she's recognized by the Academy next year. Meanwhile, her Black Panther co-star Winston Duke serves as great comedic relief, and young actors Shahadi Wright Joseph and Evan Alex hold their own. 

Tense and thought-provoking, Us is a sensational second feature that left me on the edge of my seat, eager to see what Peele does next! If Us and Get Out are any indication, he's got a very bright future ahead of him.

Film Assessment: A