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Two years ago, Jordan Peele stunned audiences, wowed critics, and even went on to earn himself an Oscar for his eerie directorial debut, Get Out. And now, with the haunting follow-up, Us, he’s ready to scare up some more buzz.
Us follows an unsuspecting family on their summer vacation to the beach. But what seems like a fun and relaxing week with family and friends isn’t exactly relaxing for wife and mother Adelaide Wilson (Lupita Nyong’o), who lived through a traumatic event at the same beach as a child. And when four mysterious strangers show up in their driveway at night, their vacation takes a terrifying turn. Because these aren’t just any strangers. The four newcomers look just like the Wilsons—only with some disturbing differences—and they seem determined to get rid of their more privileged doubles.
As this troubled family races to escape their darker selves, Peele once again combines the elements that made Get Out such a hit. It’s no surprise that it’s downright creepy. Even the black and white lines that set the stage for the story will give viewers chills. With the right camera angle and the right music, Peele can make a family’s stroll across a sunny beach feel sinister. And it just gets more unnerving and suspenseful from there, with the kind of taut, engrossing suspense that will have you leaning forward in your seat, struggling to catch your breath.
At the same time, though, Peele manages to break up some of the tension with touches of pitch-perfect humor. No matter how dark things may get, it’s never too dark for a quick one-liner from a comical character—or a surprisingly humorous situation—reminding viewers not to take it too seriously.
But, of course, despite the film’s mix of humor and horror, there are some serious messages woven into the story. There’s a lot going on here beneath the surface (pun totally intended), and as the horrors play out, the story also seems to explore our greatest fears and weaknesses. Not everything here is neat and tidy, and not all of the questions have answers—and that’s sure to give viewers plenty to ponder long after the film comes to an end.
With his latest effort, Peele continues to make horror films that make more than just horror fans stop and take notice. If you loved Get Out, you’ll want to run out to see Us. Its mix of classic scares, well-timed humor, and commentary make it more than just another eerie thriller.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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