Jordan Peele strikes gold again

It is rare that I get excited to see a horror movie these days. When it comes to the horror genre most movies are repetitive, mimicking in both style and story to the few great ones that set the trends. These few great ones make history as classic horror movies that people remember, in certain cases for decades, and are repeatedly watched when an occasion presents itself.

Last week I had the great pleasure to see a film that is without a doubt one of the best I have seen yet. “Us” is the latest theatrical gem released over the weekend that is turning into the talk of the week. It is written and directed by Jordan Peele who started his directorial debut with another great horror thriller “Get Out” released in 2017. 

Although new to the director’s chair, Peele has already proven himself more than able to take the helm. I think the movie clearly shows his talent for storytelling and solidifies proof of his love for horror. With a magnificent cast at his side, it is easy to notice the hard work put into the movie that only adds to the films excellence.

“Us” tells the story of a family on vacation who return to their beach home for the summer only to find themselves getting terrorised by mysterious doppelgangers. They are forced to fight to survive and try to escape or face the deadly consequences. Lupita Nyong’o (“Black Panther”) plays the lead, as Adelaide Wilson, beautifully. She is supported by her “Black Panther” co-star Winston Duke who plays Adelaide’s good-natured average-Joe husband Gabe Wilson.

It is not enough that the amazing actors bring one set of characters to life, but each also play their evil double in the film that only manages to show the audience how good they really are. The story was well written and even better told visually on the silver screen and it will surely keep the audience fully immersed in the journey of the characters.

There is some symbolism in the movie that adds depth and allows the audience to ponder the accurate meanings behind them. Symbolism such as the characters and their doppelgangers representing the dual nature of humanity, the good and the evil, the light and the dark. Throughout the film we see these two natures in conflict for supremacy and at the end making the audience question their perception of it.

Another example of symbolism is the idea of a divided class system that separates the elite upper class and the lower class often forgotten, ignored and mistreated as emphasised by the doppelgangers. Their red costumes are also reminiscent of the colour of the Bolshevik uprising in the early part of the 20th century that was equally as violent as the events in the film.

The underlying message in the story is that all actions have consequences and the absence of responsibility for those actions will only make the consequences worse. This message becomes clearer as the film progresses and serves as a good moral lesson especially for a horror movie. Peele has created something that is not seen that often in this particular genre and his genius is the ability to blend the right ingredients to make a horror film that can only be called a work of art.

This film will most assuredly soon become a classic and the beginning of a long line of films that will make Peele one the masters of horror. It is a great cinematic treat that will keep you on edge just like a great horror movie should and I am certain that you will enjoy it. 

“Us” has for sure taken the spotlight during the past weekend. So if you have not seen it yet, if you have some free time, I suggest you watch it and have yourself a good fright night.