Writer/Director: Jordan Peele
Starring: Lupita N’yongo, Winston Duke and Elisabeth Moss
‘A Captivating Horror Classic’
Not many actresses in Hollywood that gained fame years ago are as celebrated as Lupita N’yongo. Since her rise to stardom during the 2000’s, N’yongo has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s quiet survivors, slaves that face barriers or chess players, N’yongo has played many strong characters. Arguably, N’yongo’s finest strength as an actress has always been her genuine humanity. She is one of those rare actresses in Hollywood without vanity that has always come across as a genuine person. Her strong ability to transform into every character through commitment has turned N’yongo into a strong figure in entertainment. Shining bright light in darkness, N’yongo has become one of the most beloved actresses in the modern-day entertainment business. Through her ability to portray strong characters that are compelling, N’yongo has created a strong legacy that has proven to be lasting. Throughout her enduring career, the actress has made several powerful movies which are definitely without any doubts worth seeing.
I’m a huge fan of N’yongo and admire all the movies she has made in her career. However, “Us” may be my favourite. Since its release in 2019, Jordan Peele’s movie has stood the test of time as a horror classic. Packed with bold production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best horror movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an amazing performance by Lupita N’yongo, who embodies a woman haunted by a frightening doppelgänger. Ultimately, what makes “Us” a horror masterpiece is its message. Unlike most horror movies, it tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. The movie delivers a meaningful message about childhood trauma which would resonate with everyone. A horror classic about doppelgängers that prove to be frightening, there are several strong reasons why “Us” is a film which is definitely without a doubt worth seeing.
“Us” tells the story of a family that’s haunted by doppelgängers that are terrifying. Lupita N’yongo embodies Adelaide Wilson, a woman that has always shared a strong bond with her family. Assisted by husband Gabe (Winston Duke), Adelaide transports her kids to a beach house in the hopes of taking a break from her stressful life. Adelaide finds the vacation to be a useful way of escaping pressure in everyday life. However, Adelaide’s dreams are destroyed when she runs into doppelgängers which pose dangers. Known as the Tethers, the small team of doppelgängers put the Wilson family’s lives in grave danger. Facing a dilemma, Adelaide is put in a tough situation causing trauma. Faced with a tough situation, Adelaide questions it is truly possible to recover following a traumatic encounter with doppelgängers facing tension. As all the odds are stacked against her favour, Adelaide questions whether it’s truly possible to recover from a situation placing her family in grave danger.
Jordan Peele is fascinated with the horror film genre. Before he has directed “Us”, Peele had established a successful career as a famous horror filmmaker. His Oscar-winning film “Get Out” captured hardship experienced by black men facing racism which causes doubt. With “Us”, however, Peele constructed his first ever horror movie about doppelgängers. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of families haunted by terrifying doppelgängers, but he succeeded. Using bold cinematography, Peele captures a family embarking upon dark journeys that are frightening. Peele effectively uses handheld camera capturing the lives of families haunted by doppelgängers that cause trauma. For instance, the handheld cameras elevate the house invasion scene. During this frightening scene, the Wilson family’s house is invaded by doppelgängers which prove scary. One appreciates handheld camera capturing the lives of families haunted by doppelgängers which cause trauma. Handheld camerawork is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” proved, handheld cameras enhance horror films about scary sharks. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Peele captures hardships that families facing doppelgängers are enduring.
Another admirable aspect of “Us” which merits recognition is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Peele has often had an aptitude for designing sets in his movies, and “Us” demonstrated his strengths as a filmmaker. Peele successfully uses costume design to capture the tension of families whose lives decline. Throughout the movie, the costumes play an essential role in capturing the lives of doppelgängers which pose a grim threat to families. For instance, the costumes enhance the families meeting scene. During this tense scene, Adelaide is terrified when her family’s home is invaded by doppelgängers. One admires costumes that capture hardships that families go through. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Michael Abels’ music is integral towards the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing hardships of families facing fear. Through exceptional production-design, Peele captures families which face a decline.
Storytelling is one of the key reasons why “Us” is a captivating horror classic that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and successfully uses flashbacks to capture the lives of families haunted by doppelgängers that cause tension. Peele’s greatest screenwriting strength is his abilities to use flashbacks to capture tensions faced by families haunted by doppelgängers which are frightening. Throughout the movie, Adelaide is haunted by frightening memories of her childhood doppelgänger she saw in a carnival. For instance, flashbacks elevate the opening scene. During this frightening scene, Adelaide recounts her grim child memory of meeting her doppelgänger. One appreciates flashbacks capturing tense hardships women haunted by doppelgängers are experiencing. Flashbacks are complicated techniques to use in movies. As Ryan Coogler’s “Black Panther” suggested, flashbacks elevate classic comic book blockbusters. Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slav” claimed, flashbacks elevate historical movies about slavery. Nevertheless, it worked extremely well in this movie. Through a superb screenplay, McQueen captures the struggles of families facing doppelgängers with a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Lupita N’yongo delivers one of her best career performances as Adelaide. N’yongo achieved appreciation for portraying slaves in historical movies. With “Us”, however, she took upon her most complex role. It isn’t simple to portray the struggles faced by a woman that is haunted by doppelgängers enduring a price pay, but she succeeded. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, emotional and vulnerable in her most memorable role. Double roles are tricky to pull off effectively in movies. Portraying two different characters creates challenges for actors. However, N’yongo pulled it off successfully. With riveting expressions, she captures angst, desperation and trauma of a woman haunted by her doppelgänger. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actresses working today.
While the film is mainly a stunning showcase for N’yongo, the supporting cast is equally excellent and worthy of recognition. Elisabeth Moss is exceptional, capturing the terror of a woman haunted by doppelgängers that pose danger. Winston Duke is wonderful, bringing hilarious comical relief to the movie as a grim father facing disaster. Lastly, Shahadi Joseph Wright merits appreciation. As a daughter of a family, she brings a sense of palpable terror to the movie.
Finally, “Us” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing the tensions endured by families facing doppelgängers. Unlike most horror films which are targeted to a specific audience, the movie tackles strong themes that everyone will relate to. It discusses universal themes such as identity, childhood and trauma which resonate with everyone. The film delivers a meaningful message about childhood trauma which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Us” is one of those rare one of a kind horror movies which everyone would adore.
Fans of Lupita N’yongo would appreciate “Us” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A captivating horror classic, it celebrates an actress that has built a legacy which is iconic.
A frightening portrait of downtrodden families facing terrifying obstacles haunted by memories of doppelgangers which prove to be terrifying, it’s a captivating reminder of an awe-inspiring actress that has created a lasting legacy earning a huge following for her abilities to portray larger-than-life characters which are compelling in unforgettable movies which are definitely without a single doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 