Mary Grom

Jordan Peele’s Us makes a valiant attempt at making a new monster for “us” to fear. While he explores many excellent themes and develops interesting scenarios, the movie seems to suffer somewhat from over editing and plot holes. (Spoilers) For example, not explaining that the ballet solo clearly important to the story is traditionally meant to be performed as a duo leaves it to the audience to be capable of making the connection. Showing Adelaide incapable of talking and wild while watching the psychiatrist early in the movie prematurely gives away the ending twist. The overall concept of the tethered is also under explained and overly improbable. However, Peele did create a modern monster for us which is not a small feat. He made a creature that reflects the world we live in. He also created a unique dark fairy tale of the tethered. The existence of the monsters and young Adelaide’s suffering successfully leaves the audience unsettled. Artistically Peele’s directing seamlessly divides his actors into 2 distinct and unique roles. I never was taken out of the moment to think it was cheesy and it never became “the Nutty Professor”. The movie itself is beautiful and chilling in atmosphere. For a rating I would give it 7 out of 10. I think it will be a movie that also ages well because it has more layers than it appears to on its surface that will peal back on rewatch or re-evaluating.