Us

“They look exactly like us. They think like us. They know where we are. We need to move and keep moving.”

Filmology Rating: 3.25 out of 4

Us is the new Jordan Peele movie. The movie stars Lupita Nyong'o and Winston Duke. They go on a family vacation with their two kids when doppelgangers of their family break in. What is it? Who are they? What are they? What is why? Who is what? Why is why?

I feel very bad for the average movie-goer because this is a higher concept film and due to that, audiences seemed to have rejected this film because they cannot wrap their brains around it. However, it was interesting among all things. To abstain myself from hypocriticism, the tenacity of this film should be noted. After creating a somewhat straight-forward horror film (Get Out), it's wonderful to see that Jordan Peele is still taking chances.

Unlike Get Out, this seems to be a more horror driven film. This is a film that requires full attention. So don't talk to your friends, unwrap candy very loudly, just listen to every line because it's important. This is called watching a movie. And for some, this may require multiple and multiple viewings.

The film has a terrific first and third act, however, for some time, the second act felt a lot like filler. It turns into a standard slasher film for a while and tone becomes an issue. Winston Duke, very funny in the first act, but when he starts cracking jokes during scenes that are intentionally horrifying, then it's an issue. Horror is building tension and comedy is releasing it. Usually they don't mix and it feels that Jordan Peeple cannot restrain from placing comedy in his films at very inappropriate times.

I found the score to be one of the best aspects of the film. It's very rare to find, not just a good horror film, but a horror film with a good score. And Mike Gioulakis does the cinematography, which was shocking because It Follows seemed to have kicked his career into high gear thanks to M. Night Shyamalan.

I want to address some hack critics who have already stated, "It's the best horror film of all time." So after one viewing of the film, it becomes better than other horror films that have been studied for decades? I want to throw VHS copies of The Shining, The Exorcist, Halloween, and Poltergeist at whoever said that. It's just advertising to get people in the theater.

This is a very very layered movie that even I'm still peeling apart and a good film should stick with you like that. Spielberg describes the feeling like "getting skunked"; you just can't get it off. If you are confused by the film, see it a few more times and think about it. Because no matter your interpretation, you're right.

Rating: See It

-Nolan