Movie Review: Jordan Peele’s US

June 19, 2019

Written by Kelli Marchman McNeely

Kelli Marchman McNeely is the owner of HorrorFuel.com. She is an Executive Producer of "13 Slays Till Christmas" which is out on Digital and DVD and now streaming on Tubi. She has several other films in the works. Kelli is an animal lover and a true horror addict since the age of 9 when she saw Friday the 13th. Email: horrorfuelinfo@gmail.com

 

 

I unboxed a swag pack from Jordan Peele’s most recent film, US. Included in the box was the Blu-ray, which I’ve been eagerly awaiting to see for months. I popped the movie in and sat back with my fingers crossed that the movie would live up to the hype. Let’s face it, Peele sat the bar high right from the get-go with Get Out.

 

 

 

 

In the first seconds of the film a black screen appears with a spiel about tunnels running under the entire U.S. this is important. You might not think so at first, seeing that the synopsis only talks about a mother returning to her childhood home with her family for a holiday, but it is, so is the bible verse (Jeremiah 11:11) which we see repeatedly throughout the movie.

 

Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.”

 

 

Lupita Nyong’o was incredible in the role of Adelaide, the mother. She played two roles, which must have been emotionally and physically draining, but it was worth it. She portrayed to very intense, very different sets of emotion depending on if you were seeing Adelaide or her shadow double. As Adelaide, you could not only read the terror on her face but feel it as well. As the shadow version of herself, well, the only way I can describe it is, she was downright disturbing.

 

 

 

 

Winston Duke, who played Adelaide’s husband Gabe I guess appearing in Black Panther might have prepared him for the physical scenes as he fights to survive and save his family. He also serves as the movie’s comical relief.

 

 

The child actors Shahadi Wright Joseph (Zora) and young Evan Alex (Jason) were impressive. They had to deal with so much brutality and death in the film, yet came across like pros. The played their characters perfectly.

 

 

Elizabeth Moss, known for her role in  The Handmaid’s Tale, played a brief part in the film with a character a polar opposite of her character in Hulu’s hit series. She played Kitty, a quirky snob, and wife of Tim Heidecker’s character and the mother of their twin girls. Her own family becomes the target of an attack from four shadow versions of themselves.

 

 

From the first moment, I knew this movie was going to be intense and I was right. I ran through a gambit of emotions during the film, from sad to momentary confusion, to nearly jumping out of my skin. Something only a great movie can make me do. And that ending! Bravo!

 

 

The story is so complex, with twist after twist, layer after layer. One moment it is a horror film, the next it’s a statement about society, family, and one’s own fears. It’s action-packed with all the gore and violence a horror fan could ask for. Time and time again genre fans are served up shallow films. US is not one of those. For those of you looking for a movie simply featuring blood and gore, this movie might not be for you. You can’t half watch it while on your phone, surfing social media. This movie deserves your undivided attention. To keep up with the twists, you have to pay attention. If you don’t you’ll be lost within the first half-hour. But it is so worth it. It’s spooky, scary, interesting and will make you think. You’ve never seen a movie like this, the story is so unique.

 

 

In my opinion, Jordan Peele’s US is brilliantly crafted and executed and deserves five out of five. It’s a “must see” movie and it’s now out on 4K, Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital. Watch it now.

 

 

I’m so glad that we have a new voice in the genre. Jordan Peele’s projects are so unique and so different in their tone and execution. We’ve desperately needed a voice (fresh and creative) like his for so long.

 

 

 

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