In short, the horror film is a social exploration of America. Peele, who was known as a comedian, in his well-known sketch show Key and Peele, who knew Peele had such a talent for creating captivating horror stories. His previous film "Get Out," which was startling and frightening, but it also was created to make the audience politically and socially uncomfortable. He does this by sending a message about how black and white Americans interact.
However, the film "Us" has highlighted a different aspect of America.
What is the film about?
The opening scene is zoomed into a television set. "Us" takes place in two timelines. In 1986, as the Hands Across America organization is being staged, a young girl visits a Santa Cruz beach boardwalk and confronts an eerie apparition that looks just like her. Eventually, as an adult, Adelaide Wilson remembers this encounter with a heavy sense of dread, and when her husband Gabe plans a vacation that takes her back to the same beach, she starts experiencing flashbacks from her childhood. Eventually, the family's doppelgangers appear, wearing red jumpsuits and wielding bright colored, in hand are these extremely sharp scissors. As the film progresses, the audience realizes that the turn of events will constantly occur.
Throughout the film, metaphors continue to rise. One strong metaphor emerges from the story, a message regarding wealth inequality. The film highlights how easy it is to be unaware of privilege and comfort when other people are struggling. The two main families in the film are oblivious of the amount of suffering going on near them.
Is the film good?
Overall, the film was an experience. The film was very fascinating and entertaining, however, it left a lot of unsettling questions. Peele approach in the film is a collection of horror movie tricks, from the jump scares a cat and mouse game, and many more. In my opinion, his greatest decisions were the performances of the actors. The film was a masterpiece of identifying horror and dark reflection on America's past with chilly atmospherics and originality in concept was phenomenal.
I highly recommend watching this film, however, not alone.