Us
I don’t even really know where to start with this one. I definitely had mixed feelings going into this movie because of the feedback I was hearing from friends and family alike. The biggest thing to keep in mind when experiencing this film is to pay attention and be thoughtful.
Us is not a movie you can go to, question it the entire duration, and wait for the plot to explain itself at the end. It is filled with metaphors, the attack of political downfalls, and a mirror of the world today. I appreciate this movie because It was not another Get Out. It was its own movie that had its own message and delivered that message the way It was supposed to; with the intent to make you think and reflect on self.
Jordan Peele came out the gate running with a very controversial story line for Get Out, but Us brings a new set of morals to the forefront to be analyzed and corrected. We are our own worst enemy, and, the truth is, we sometimes show our demons without realizing. Sometimes our demons take over and we don’t realize until it’s too late. When I say Peele is a genius for sculpting this, it’s not because it’s centered around a black family but rather because It places a black family in the spotlight of a world tragedy and then shows this isn’t just happening to black people, nobody is safe in this phenomenon. This black family is experiencing the same things a white family experiences, because we’re people too. We don’t need movies showing us in stereotypical situations just because we’re black, black people deal with the same struggles as white people, and at the end of the day, if something like this were to happen in real life, we would suffer the same as our white neighbors next door.
Peele tackles Government infrastructure, current political casualties like the boarder wall fiasco, and then brings it all full circle to show how these things will ultimately be the downfall of “Us”… and more than likely the U.S.
When I walked out of the movie, the first question posed to me was did I enjoy it. I couldn’t answer with a quick yes or no because It wasn’t about liking It, It was about understanding It. Peele envisioned a conversation starter to delve into the crevices of what’s wrong with the world and create a space where it can be discussed intellectually and with a purpose. I’m writing this review and all I can think of is how I followed the clues all throughout the movie and that’s why I understand why everything transpired the way they did. I’m still noticing things that happened in the movie 3 days later because Peele was that intentional with his story telling in this movie. Due to the mixed reviews I was hearing from people I knew that had already seen the movie, I went in with the intent of paying attention and connecting the dots as they were strategically placed. The bread crumbs were laid you just have to follow them.
Now…. to address Lupita…. sis….. SIS! When I say she KILLED the game. Talk about an amazing black woman laying a blue print for amazing little black girls that want to not only be a supporting actress but be the main character in a horror film that is not saturated in an all white cast where she is the token black person. Lupita is telling little black girls they can tell stories of our history, be a super hero, AND show these white people how you’re supposed to react in a horror film. I can’t say enough just how much I love this black queen for all she is doing and will continue to do.
On the other hand I didn’t care for Winston Duke’s character too much. He was giving me vibes of an unsupportive black husband that’s clueless to the trials and tribulations of the world even though he’s a black man. BUT I do understand his presence was significant. I’m not sure if I’m the only one that felt that way, but I could have done without his character although his doppelgänger was the muscle for the tragedy… no matter how short lived. He’s definitely a great actor though, because he portrayed his character very well, no matter what he did or what happened to him he followed through with his reactions and movements.
The make up for the doubles was also absolutely amazing. When Duke’s doppelgänger came into the light on screen I had to double take because he looked like a completely different person. The imagery, costumes, make-up, and script all laid the path for the on-point execution of “Us”. The world was built to get you intrigued, the story was written to make you aware, and all of the visual elements worked together to push your engagement and understanding over the top.
Overall I think this movie is definitely worth a watch. Some people think you need a second watch to understand everything, but I think if you pay close enough attention to the detail it can be understood in one sitting. Although, I’m sure there are things I’ll pick up that I missed in the first watch too.
Tell me what you thought about the movie, or any discussion you think should be started from “Us” below! I can’t wait to see where other’s brains are on this new suspenseful blackbuster.
Release Date: March 22, 2019
Where I watched: AMC Movie Theater’s - Richmond, VA