Adelaide Wilson, played by Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o, returns to her California beach home with her husband Gabe, played by Winston Duke, her daughter Zora, and young son Jason. Still traumatized from past experiences as a child after seeing her doppelgänger, Adelaide is hesitant to return to the area for fear of something bad occurring relating to that incident. Those fears soon are validating when a family ominously appears in their driveway, holding hands. To the Wilsons’ shock, the family looks exactly like them, thus begins an epic fight of survival against themselves.
Plot
AnnaGrace: The plot of Us was incredibly thought-provoking. The trailer gave enough information to entice you but also not spoil the best scenes. It is complex but also easy to follow but it does make you leave the theater wondering what it all means. While the plot of Us isn’t as jaw-dropping as its predecessor Get Out, it is still a fantastic film that showcases the sheer talent of Jordan Peele.
Brooke: Us had a terrifyingly twisted and complex plot. Despite the unnerving concepts, Peele made sure to keep the scenes alive with witty humor from the characters. While the threats and thrills of Us kept you wondering what was going to happen next, the intoxicating humor of the characters was even more enticing. However, the ending had left much to the imagination. There was no clarity and simply left the audience wanting more.
Characters
AG: In regards to the characters, Gabe is a breath of fresh air with his humor and Adelaide’s frantic fear keeps the tension intact. The children, Zora and Jason, are typical movie children. Lacking friends, or manners. I didn’t expect anything from them but to just serve for the purpose of making it about a family. But when it’s time for fight or flight, these kids step up to the plate and don’t miss. The doppelgänger family seems to be led by the matriarch, Red. Red seems tactical and calculating and intelligent while her family has no further characterization besides crazy. While it may have been intentional, I see it more as a misstep on Peele’s part to as much characterization to the doppelgängers, as there was to the Wilsons.
B: The “Wilson” family and the “Red” family are so starkly different it is hard to imagine they were played by the same person. The characters each had an equally complex backstory and relationship to one another. Peele managed to bring minute aspects of the Wilsons’ lives and twist it onto the Red family. Each detail of the character was well thought out, as well as interesting. As the movie continues you see the development of each character. The Wilsons become stronger, and you begin to gain sympathy for the designated villains.
Music
(Click on the links to preview the songs)
AG: A major highlight of Us is the soundtrack to the movie. It is almost impossible to describe but if I have to I would call it Spooky Bops. The track that sticks out to me the most is the “Pas De Deux” which is featured in the trailer. It is ominous while also being funky, not dark but alludes to scary undertones. If you want a song that you can jam that uses that beat, I definitely recommend the remix of “I Got 5 On It (Tethered Remix)” by Luniz. It still carries the dark elements of the original “Pas De Deux” but combines it with a classic 1990’s hip-hop song, creating an entirely new experience of which I have dubbed spooky bops.
B: The music in Us was an important factor throughout the movie. Whether it was used as a background to a major plot point or the focal point, the music provided the foundation for deeper understanding. The opening scene of the movie features the song “Anthem”, the harrowing harmonious notes of children accompanied by the isolated musical notes set the mood for the horror film presented.
Listen to the soundtrack here
Terror factor
AG: At the beginning of the movie, there was a lot of buildup to the arrival of the doppelgänger family. In the encounters with the doppelgängers, it definitely unnerves you but as the movie goes on and motives are revealed I think it became less of a horror movie and more of a thriller to understand the conflicts.
B: The “terror factor” was more of a thrill. It was more present at the beginning of the movie, but that could be the anxious wait of the Red family. There was no certain scene that stands out to me as terrifying or horrific- it was more suspenseful than anything.
Overall rating
AG: Us was a well-written and well-directed work that Jordan Peele should be incredibly proud of. It reaches a number of audiences from horror to comedy to social commentary. Overall, I would definitely watch again and again so I give it a 4.5/5.
B: The movie Us was a creative and unique concept, unlike any other movie made. Peele is certainly making a great name for himself in the horror film industry. The conclusion may have been lackluster, the overall quality could not be beaten. In total, 3/5 certainly worth that watch.
