The Bat Cave

Us (2019)
Director: Jordan Peele (Get Out)
Starring: Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseph, Evan Alex

Anticipation Level: Epic

How Was It? Us was easily my most anticipated film in the first quarter of 2019 as I couldn’t wait to see what Jordan Peele had in store after shocking the world with his superb Get Out in 2017. Plus, the trailer for this one was awesome.

I very much enjoyed my first viewing of Us, but for a horror movie there’s a lot going on and the ending was a bit of a head scratcher, so I left the theater unsure of how I really felt about it. I thought it was probably good, but I was a little confused. So I saw it again.

And I still very much enjoyed watching it. I guess that means Jordan Peele did it again, if not quite on the elite level that he achieved with Get Out. The 94% rating on RottenTomatoes and the hyperbole of some critic calling Us “the greatest horror movie of all-time” is a bit misleading, but I definitely thought there was a lot to like here. Peele certainly knows how to craft a horror movie. He’s quite good at creating a tense atmosphere while blending in plenty of laughs without ruining the mood. I didn’t think Us was particularly scary, but it is plenty creepy and the story is far more layered than your typical film in the genre. It’s a movie where every detail is worth noting and warrants multiple viewings. Us is a difficult movie to discuss without getting too spoilery.

I can say that I thought Lupita Nyong’o is extremely good in this movie. Of course, any movie that allows an actor to play multiple roles (or versions of their character) is an opportunity to showcase their acting chops and Nyong’o certainly rises to the occasion. She has been good in everything I’ve seen from her so far. I also really enjoyed the daughter in the movie, especially in doppleganger form. Winston Duke is enjoyable too, but mostly for his comic relief.

Us is another solid film from Jordan Peele and I’m a bit bewildered by some of the mixed reactions from audiences. I was hoping for another near masterpiece as well, but I can’t say I’m too disappointed with what this film is. I liked it a lot – both times I saw it – and I give it a strong recommendation, but it does fall a little bit short of being a must watch movie.

Replay Value: A second viewing made me appreciate it more and helped clear up some questions.

Sequel Potential: By the time it’s box office run is over, Us should be in the top 3 R-rated horror movies of all-time so… plenty of potential for a sequel, but Jordan Peele strikes me as the kind of guy that wants to do different things.

Oscar Potential: It’s hard to say. Us has been so well received by critics, that it certainly seems possible to get some Oscar attention. I’ll wager on the no though. This is not as good as Get Out, so I don’t see a Best Pic nom come next year. Lupita Nyong’o and Florence Pugh (in Fighting With My Family) have given the best performances of the year so far, but there’s a lot of time and movies to come. Let’s call her a long shot for now. Us gets strong grades in the Score, Sound, and Editing categories as well.

7/10 (Highly Enjoyable)