Class relations

Rating: 9/10 (24 June 2019)

Out of nowhere came Jorden Peele in 2017 with "Get Out". He almost skipped his learning phase, took no time to adjust. Out of Comedy Central and into the highest echelon of cinema prowess. Now its 2019, and with "Us" he perfects his trademark directorial style, but do not think to compare him to the likes of Kubrick or Hitchcock--Peele is his own director, making a stand and carving his own ideas into cinema.
You would think that someone who directs, writes and produces has an elaborate history, yet "Us" is only Jordan Peele's second outing in the director's chair and already he developed his own brand of visual art and his own brand of horror--no cheap scares, a touch of comedy and a lot of intrigue. Seriously, never has a horror film aroused my curiosity in such a way. If at first I was scared, not soon enough I was stuck to my chair hungry for answers, but by the time they came, I already realized this film's point and I was now looking at it properly.
This movie empowers itself more on multiple viewings. You would definitely see it differently a second time, respond differently to its characters and maybe uncover more. Yet I feel this theoretical and analytical approach would be missing the point. The main idea here is the clever way in which Peele tackles social status, class relations and differences. He is actually quite political and that is not surprising, many sketches on his Key & Peele days revolving around social satire, only now he approaches it with a whole different level of skill and precision. There is visual symbolism everywhere! I will not even bother to discuss it, it's that obvious and that quantifying. Everything from the duality of man, to racial duality, social duality and hierarchy, whatever! Its quite fascinating to take this frame by frame and see what it hides!
It continues even with the music! Hearing "Good Vibrations" by The Beach Boys, one of the whitest songs ever play right before a particular controversial piece from NWA only goes to strengthen his point! He throws clues at you constantly, making "Us" a rich experience. I was also amazed by his on-screen technique. He displays a natural talent for screenwriting as he stretches one horrifying scene for dozens of minutes! From the time the Wilsons meet their Tethered, he up-scales the scene with careful meticulous planning, balancing horror and curiosity, making you terrified to look, but wanting to! By the time that particular scene ends, the film takes a completely different shape and you start to see it for the actual satire it is.
In a way, I feel Peele never left his comedic roots. He is still doing what he did on Key & Peele, only here he approaches it with a completely different philosophy. But enough about him and more of the actors! Their performances are great, but I have to call out Lupita Nyong'o for her human and inhuman take on both the characters she portrays. "Us" looks and feels as if it demanded a lot from its actors, mostly adaptability. I do not think it will be appreciated for redefining horror, as much as it will be for taking horror to places where its never been.