Skip to main content

REVIEW: 'Us' places a mirror in front of individuals and America's soul

'US' IS NOW AVAILABLE ON DVD MOVIE SYNOPSIS: Us tells the story of a normal African-American family that returns to the childhood beach home of the family's mother on vacation. But despite the idyllic setting, matriarch Adelaide Wilson is still haunted by a mysterious traumatic experience from her past. When a group of masked strangers break into the home and hold the family hostage, they have to fight for their own survival. When those strangers take off their masks to reveal that they're perfect doppelgangers of the family, the Wilsons have to confront their past traumas and examine who they really are. By Mona Austin You'll need a dream interpreter to make sense of the nightmare that is "Us." Don't ask me the names of the main characters in the gory follow-up to "Get Out," Jordan Peele's second scary movie. I couldn't tell you. My mind was transfixed on the suspenseful scenes unfolding from the moment an identical family showed up in the drive-way of the main characters' vacation home in Santa Cruz, CA wearing red jump suits and carrying scissors on a mission to kill their dopplegangers. This spooky scene caused me to forget their names.  The intriguing plot twists offer so much info to analyze that the horror is somewhat subdued, however. This was the start of a unique storyline that was filled with the unexpected. The Wilson family later discovers thatan invisible force(insinuating it was the government or some other insidious organizer that had control) cloned over 300 million other "empty" people in America who were looking for their souls. Conceptually, this is the strongest aspect of the movie. The writers used strong metaphors that the characters play out, such as facing individual fears. "This movie is about the fact that we are our own worst enemy," said Peele in a SXSW interview where the film opened. This thought is expressed when the main characters later realize it's not just them being terrorized by look-alikes, but everyone is facing the same threat -- themselves.
The complex plot is hard to understand in places, but it is obvious that "Us" dabbles in the demonic. The idea is that the empitiness in everyone is filled by their worst selves. The scripture Jeremiah 11:11 was used to convey godlessness in the midst of pure evil in American society.  Peele attempts to unravel the cinematic "ball of yarn" through a religious reference. 
The intepretation of the biblical reference is that God needs to save us from ourselves.
Through Peele's interpretation this is what happens when people fail to dig beneath the surface to solve inward or outward problems.  It also tackles America facing its issues with race symbolically. However, the youngest character upped the fear factor and next to Lupita was the strongest character in the film. When Adelaide (Lupita) realizes she was a double the plot thickens as her younger self character takes over and . Her stares are equally ominous and chill-inducing. Via flashbacks that take place in a fun house at an abandoned amusement park we learn that she stopped talking when she was a little girl and through her voice returns through her demonic double. Nyong'o s at her best as she goes back and forth to her childhood, even though she is not playing the child. Her ability to convince the viewer that she is actually the child is commendable. The seamless interplay between the two characters helps carry the film. There were tiny production drawbacks such as Nupita N'yongo's character not looking like a precise duplicate. Her hair was longer and styled differently than her mirror image in one scene was noticeable. (They probably filmed the scenes months apart.) This type of snag usually reflects budget limitations, although the movie was on par other well done films and did not appear to be low budget. A credit to good writing and directing, the social commentary reflected the axioms America faces today. Sometimes its hard to separate satire and cynicism from truth in Peele's work. Is he really saying America is damned or that it should be? If part of the message was that America has damned herself, then in the end, people are left dead in the street. Then, there is a wide shot that shows a long line of people holding hands, a cheeky symbol of "hands across American (or souls across America) leaving one to wonder if there would ever he a resolution to the self-generated madness or if it would go on forever.

As a follow-up to the horrific recoil in GET OUT, the  Black family to be  portrayed with weak survival instincts and regret that the Black woman was the stereotypical heroin while her husband failed to lead and protect his family. Trying to fight for your own life while trying to make sure your kids are safe too was not the time to toy with "Black girl magic." To her credit, my perception could be due to the Oscar winning actresses on screen dominance as an artist. At the same time Jordan Peele may have wanted to illuminate an issue that exists off screen.
RATING: 3 of 5 Stars


Director:

Jordan Peele

Writer:

Jordan Peele

Popular posts from this blog

Record-Breaking U.S.-Africa Business Summit Yields $2.5 Billion in Deals and Commitments

The U.S. Delegation, led by  Ambassador Troy Fitrell , Senior Bureau Official for African Affairs, included the senior-most officials advancing U.S. commercial engagement across Africa: Massad Boulos , Senior Advisor for Africa  Thomas Hardy , Acting Director, U.S. Trade and Development Agency Constance Hamilton , Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa Connor Coleman , Head of Investments and Chief of Staff, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation Tamara Maxwell , Senior Vice President for Small Business, Export-Import Bank of the United States    The record turnout made clear that both U.S. and African leaders share a strong commitment to significantly expanding trade and investment.  The U.S. objective at the Summit was to secure key deals and commitments for U.S. companies and establish the conditions to boost U.S. exports and investment in Africa — advancing mutual prosperity in line with the Trump Administration’s  Commercial Diploma...

NEWLYWEDS: Bishop Marvin Winans weds after 30 years

  By Mona Austin One of the most eligible bacherlors in Christianity has tied the knot - Marvin Winans remarries After being single for almost 30 years, legendary gospel singer and Bishop Marvin L. Winans, Sr. has wed his long time girlfriend Deneen R. Carter. Carter is a 57-year-old physical therapist and minister at Perfecting Church in Detroit, founded by Winans. Little is known about the bride publicly. The gospel legend introduced the now Mrs. Winans as his fiance to the congregants of Perfecting in October of 2021. The couple had been in a relationship for 15 years. Pastor Winans was previously married to fellow gospel singer Vicki Winans (with whom he has two sons) for 16 years before they divorced in 1995. Held at the Colony Club in Detroit, MI, on April 22, the wedding was officiated by fellow COGIC Bishop Darrell Hines. "Let their lives be full of joy as they live according to your word," he prayed. If we are judging by floral count, this could be one of th...

Christian Rapper and Wife Reconcile, Renew Vows

Da' T.R.U.T.H. Celebrates Eighth Wedding Anniversary With Vow Renewal & Issues Public Statement Acclaimed Christian Hip Hop Artist Da’ T.R.U.T.H. renewed his wedding vows with beautiful wife Nicole Lambert earlier this week on Tuesday, June 15th—their eighth wedding anniversary. This special event punctuated the completion of their official restoration plan—marking the page of a new beginning and giving testimony to the redeeming power of reconciliation. Additionally, today, he has released a public letter to his family and supporters on his website www.datruth.net. The private ceremony, held in their backyard and attended by family and close friends, was officiated by Bishop Gilbert and Mrs. Debi Coleman—the marriage counseling team leading the Lambert’s restoration process. Also in attendance were Alvin Love & CeCe Winans (pictured in the insert), who have been walking intimately with the couple as supporting counselors and mentors. Da’ T.R.U.T.H.’s long-time frie...