22 March 19 - Us (2019)

Picture if you will sitting in a darkened theatre with your buttery popcorn and favorite soda …relaxing and enjoying the latest cinematic feature but you feeling there’s an unsettling presence near you …around you …then suddenly, the darkness gradually fades to light and you realize there’s someone …something who looks exactly like you.

Are you absolutely certain that you are the REAL you? Are you sure there isn't another you out there somewhere ...waiting to take your place?

Think about those questions for a minute or two, blogspot readers, while SouthSide cues the famous Twilight Zone theme music.

Welcome to Jordan Peele’s latest cinematic piece simply titled – Us, a somewhat follow-up to his breakout hit, Get Out, but as a sophomoric film, it nearly lives up to what Get Out was …yes, blogspot readers, believe the hype.

If you’re a fan of the Twilight Zone series, you know each episode presents itself with a rather calm and “nothing is about to happen yet” sequences until you reach the middle of the story. Well, blogspot readers, that’s how Jordan Peele sets up Us for you. We meet the average Black American family spending bright sunny days at their vacation home in Santa Cruz …sandy beaches, roaring seashore and lively boardwalk complete with games and carnival rides. All seems “normal” about this family  - dad Gabe Wilson (Winston Duke from Black Panther) cracks a lot of the typical “dad” jokes and is seriously loving his new speedboat, daughter Zora (Shahadi Wright Joseph) is a typical teen who has unbelievably unlimited battery power for her phone since she spends part of the vacation on it more than SouthSide’s own teen, son Jason (Evan Alex) is quite the handful with his smart-alecky mouth but the only who seems out of place is mom Adelaide {Lupita Nyong’o also from Black Panther) because of a tragic childhood event that keeps haunting her. They are joined by their White counterparts the Tylers (Elisabeth Moss and Tim Heidecker) and their twin daughters. Again …all seems “normal” except for that other family …”what other family?” you might ask. Well, that where the “normal” ends and the real Twilight Zone-like nightmare begins, blogspot readers. Without giving too much away, blogspot readers, let’s just this other family dressed in red are willing to do anything to replace and be you.

SouthSide’s not about to reveal all of Jordan Peele’s secrets held within Us. However, she highly recommends checking out this wild rollercoaster ride that will have your heart pounding in time with the creepy music or laughing at the Winston Duke’s corniness as the one person who would rather stay than leave to escape the strange doppelgangers who have invaded their home and tried to “replace” them ie murder them in terrifying ways that only can come from the mind of Jordan Peele. There are certain things …clues here and there tagged throughout the movie just to give some idea what Us is about. The Bible verse Jeremiah 11:11 is among the other few. And, blogspot readers, don’t think you know what’s going to happen next or second guess Jordan Peele while watching this movie because you don’t and won’t. This writer/director is controlling all of the horizontal and vertical as well as diluting you will and will not see for the rest of the movie. In other words, shut off the brain …Jordan Peele has rewritten all pre-existing horror movie rules for a movie that truly doesn’t have any horror movie rules. For example, you might think there’s a moment of relief and calm, ha …Jordan Peele takes that  and you for a loop to another unexpected horror tense scene after another like the Nutcracker dance/fight scene between Adelaide and her doppelganger – was that ever intense and very well-choreographed as each movement is performed in time with the music. Oh speaking of music, SouthSide will never listen to The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” the same way ever again. Not saying it’s a bad thing but when you see Us, you will understand what she’s saying. Loved a touch of NWA’s iconic song, “Fuck the Police” to really add to the moment. Now, is Us better than Get Out? Honestly, this latest movie ranks up there but not as great as Get Out. Us has its mixed moments of humor and horror as well as an interesting, thought-provoking premise what it’s about …especially the twisted, fucked-up, mind blown ending that only Jordan Peele could surprise us with like any other Twilight Zone episode. 

Never expected or saw that coming. Mind was totally blown.

Cue the Twilight Zone theme music one more time, blogspot readers, that’s how you will feel once you have reached the credits …do take time to process what you just saw …probably will have to repeat to process Us some more.

SouthSide plans to see it again. Just can’t keep this blogger from a heart-pounding, thrill ride like Us. And yes Jordan, you have her permission to use that quote.

Until next time, support your local scene,

SouthSide