Jordan Peele’s latest film is more than just another thriller.

By Kiara Mays | Published by April 27, 2019

What do you get when you mix doppelgangers dressed in red jumpsuits, a 1989 “Hands Across America” charity campaign, and a pair of gold shears? WARNING: Spoilers ahead.

Jordan Peele’s latest film, “Us”, advertised itself, according to ign.com, like a home invasion movie featuring a family of evil doppelgangers. However, as those who’ve already seen the film have come to realize, it turned out to be much more complex than that. Loaded with references to popular culture and history, symbolic imagery and “Easter eggs,” “Us” was, according to some, definitely worth a second and perhaps even a third watch.

“I personally would watch the movie a couple more times,” said Tiara Muslim, a junior, communications major at Kean. “The ending was very shocking and had me lost for words.”

According to a synopsis detailed on the movie’s official website, usmovie.com; after returning to her childhood beach home for a summer vacation getaway, Adelaide Wilson (played by Lupita Nyong’o), along with her husband Gabe (played by Winston Duke), and their two children, begin to experience a series of unexplainable events. However, it is when the Wilsons are met by a silhouette of four figures in their driveway who turn out to look exactly like them, that things take a turn for the worst.

Currently at a rare 94% fresh on popular movie review site, Rotten Tomatoes; some viewers such as Kean student Evan Hewitt, senior and public relations major weren’t pleased with Peele’s sophomore film attempt.

“The movie didn’t meet my expectations due to the way it was marketed to the public,” said Evan Hewitt, senior, public relations major. “To me, there were just too many hidden messages and signs, therefore, I found it hard to follow and understand.”

Peele recently appeared on “The Empire Film Podcast” to clear up some things surrounding “Us,” but especially concerning the film’s ending.

“This movie’s about maybe the monster is you,” said Peele in the podcast. “It’s about us, looking at ourselves as individuals and as a group.”

In the film’s primary plot twist, it is revealed to viewers that the main character, Adelaide, has been hiding her true identity all along.

“The protagonist in the movie is the surrogate for the audience, so it felt like at the end of the day, I wasn’t doing my core theme any justice if I wasn’t revealing that we have been the bad guy in this movie,” continued Peele. “We’ve been following the villain.”

With all that took place, especially during its final scenes, viewers like Muslim, predict that a “Us 2” will be in the works soon if not already.

If you haven’t seen the film yet, “Us” is still being shown in theaters. Check your local listings for dates and times or visit amctheatres.com.

 

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