Title Unaltered: Jordan Peele's Fresh Nightmare: Us
Jordan Peele, the acclaimed writer, director, and producer, returns with another chilling horror film titled "Us." This time, he delves deeper into socially conscious themes, exploring the state of America and the concept of karmic retribution.
The story revolves around Adelaide Wilson, a character who, as a child, had an encounter with a hostile doppelgänger in a dark funhouse hall of mirrors. The film centers on the Wilson family, who come under attack by their own doppelgängers, referred to in the film as The Tethered.
Doppelgängers, mysterious doubles of living people, are almost as old as storytelling itself, appearing in various folklore and mythology. Peele's script for "Us" is described as even more ambitious and intellectual than that of his first film, "Get Out."
"Us" provides a broader cinematic canvas than "Get Out," which was primarily set in one location. The film is said to be deeply unsettling and unlike anything anyone has ever read before. It's an incredibly entertaining scary movie that is also about something, tackling the idea that our own worst enemy is ourselves.
The film is described as a popcorn art film, esoteric, and complicated. It's filled with organic humor that rises out of the natural dynamics of family and friendship and from the absurdities of our always-plugged-in modern lives.
Peele's film inspirations for "Us" are varied, though not directly detailed. His films often draw from horror classics, similar to influences seen in other works like "Get Out" and "Nope." He cites Roman Polanski's "Rosemary's Baby," "A Nightmare on Elm Street," and the Japanese film "Suicide Club" as some of his favorites, but it's Ridley Scott's "Alien" that holds a special place in his heart.
Hidden references to some of Peele's favorite horror films, such as "Dead Again," "A Tale of Two Sisters," "The Shining," "Alien," and "The Birds," can be found throughout the film. The ending of "Us" will probably cause some discomfort and may lead to audiences wanting to see it again.
Producer Jason Blum believes that Jordan Peele is a creative force to be reckoned with. He has created a unique brand of filmmaking that no one has done since something like "The Twilight Zone." "Us" is described as an R-rated Amblin film, combining intellectual themes with a thrilling, terrifying cinematic experience.
While "Us" is not overtly about race, it subverts historical tropes of the horror genre and its typical depiction of black people. This film is a must-watch for anyone seeking a thought-provoking, entertaining, and unsettling horror experience.
