Us
★★★★★
Now playing
Writer-director Jordan Peele pushes boundaries again with his new satirical horror film, Us, which is nowhere near as simple as its title. Like his groundbreaking debut psycho-thriller, Peele’s second film leaves us with far more questions than answers—though you can expect much more bloodshed than you saw in Get Out.
Us forces us to consider the roles we play in a destructive society, or, more specifically, how we create room for hate to exist in the world. The Bible verse Jeremiah 11:11, which suggests a state of inescapable suffering, is a prominent motif, functioning as a warning sign for the Wilson family. Peele weaves this concept into the film in such a subversive manner that, at the end, we’re left equally shocked and confused.
Peele’s structural choices are reminiscent of Get Out in ways that connect with his target audience. Hip-hop plays an important role in the storytelling and sonic backdrop. “I Got 5 on It,” a classic hit by Oakland natives Luniz, recurs throughout the film, and Peele takes sampling to another level by also incorporating a remake of Black America’s favorite smoke anthem. Peele’s version adds a haunting cadence that aligns with the mood and action of the film.
Another important cultural component is the representation of historical Black institutions. Gabe Wilson (played by Winston Duke) sports a Howard University sweatshirt. Paying homage to HBCUs on large platforms like sitcoms or films is a refined way of adding value to them. In this, Us follows in the footsteps of Living Single and Martin, to name but two.
As expected, Peele subtly but directly addresses American issues like racial wealth inequality and structural racism. But, as in Get Out, there are many moments of comedic relief to create a fine balance between horror and joy. In particular, there is a satirical critique of the recent influx of irrational calls to the police by white women, coupled with a critique of police response in general. (The police are of no help at all in this film.)
And then there are the strong Black leads. The whole Wilson family proves to be resilient, but the performances of the mother and daughter, played by Lupita NYong’o and Anna Diop, present Black women and girls as magical—capable of getting it done. But is the film scary? It’s scary in a Jordan Peele kind of way. It offers far more mystery and a sense of haunting than mere scares, while at the same time sending out a chilling call to action.
