Horror films have never been one of my favorite genres, so when I see a trailer on one, I typically avoid them. They're creepy, predictable, violent and usually poorly written with one dimensional characters. Ghost stories are OK such as "The Others" '01 and Ira Levin's "The Stepford Wives" '77 was amazingly suspenseful with a twist you didn't see coming. When I saw "Get Out" in '17, it was like "The Stepford Wives" gone violent and was very well executed. So since Jordan Peele was behind "Get Out", I felt that "Us" surely would be too, and it was--maybe better than "Get Out".
Accompanied by her husband, Gabe Wilson (Winston Duke), son Jason (Evan Alex) and daughter Zora (Shahadi Wright Joseph), Adelaide Wilson (Lupita Nyong'o) returns to the beachfront home where she grew up as a child. Their plans are to meet their friends, the Tylers, Josh (Tim Heidecker), Kitty (Elisabeth Moss), Becca (Cali Sheldon) and Lindsey (Noelle Sheldon). Haunted by a traumatic experience from the past, Adelaide grows increasingly concerned that something bad is going to happen. Her worst fears soon become a reality when four masked strangers descend upon the house, forcing the Wilsons into a fight for survival. When the masks come off, the family is horrified to learn that each attacker takes the exact appearance of the family.
Others to round out the cast are Yahya Abdul Mateen II as Russel Thomas, Anna Diop as Rayne Thomas and Madison Curry as Young Adelaide Wilson.
This was brilliantly directed by Jordan Peele ("Get Out" '17). This is only his second film he has directed and when watching this, it is staged and paced as though a seasoned director helmed it. The connection between the characters as well as reactions to what's happening in this story is amazingly realistic. He is an actor and I'm sure that has something to do with his ability to convey his ideas to his actors, but I truly believe that this filmmaker is a natural. His style has certainly helped this tired genre which has become hackneyed for years. It was written with intensity, tightness, and cohesiveness by Peele ("Keanu" '16, "Get Out" '17) plus a plethora of TV. I must say Peele has certainly improved his writing ability just in the last three years. His "Keanu" was a waste--the screenplay simply jumped and meandered all over the place and the lines were trite and unfunny. Then "Get Out" was a vastly improved attempt at a screenplay. However it did win the Academy Award for best original screenplay, I feel there were still some problems with it--it was a bit choppy. However, with this screenplay, he pulled out all the stops and created a fresh and original story that is like no other. Think about it: being terrified by yourself--what a concept! Actually, the only thing about this where I had any issues at all was that we don't really know why these attackers were the victims and where did they come from. Where they come from was mentioned, but nothing detailed was given the audience. I suspect if Peele was to go into more detail, the movie would've been longer and was it necessary? Who knows. If you like this filmmaker's writing, his "Candyman" is in pre-production for a 2020 release. He is a busy man as he should be. His writings has a quality that is similar to that of Rod Serling who created "Twilight Zone". Interesting that Peele is supposed to be hosting a new resurgence of "Twilight Zone", and hopefully Peele will be writing some of the episodes.
Mind you, there are a few twists and turns that you might not see coming, but this just makes the film that much more intriguing. For the horror fans, you'll be in horror heaven, but even those who aren't, like me, the premise of the film along with the writing, directing and the effective cast will be enough to keep you on the edge of your proverbial seat. Boo! This is scary!
Out of 4 Stars: 3.5 Rated: R 117mins.
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