I previously wrote about my thoughts on Jordan Peele’s *Get Out*, which you can find by clicking its title. It's one of the finest film debuts from a writer-director whose skills I wish had emerged earlier, as the horror genre desperately needed someone like him. Peele is rapidly becoming a significant figure in Hollywood, and he continues to demonstrate with *Us* that his exceptional talent will keep audiences captivated and perplexed for years to come. While I consider his initial film more consistent and well-structured, *Us* currently stands out as the best movie of the year, and it’s unlikely to be displaced from that position by year's end. The mark of a truly great film is its ability to make the drive home from the theater feel fleeting. I spent considerable time afterward discussing and debating the movie with my partner. Now, I have a solid understanding of the story and Lupita Nyong’o’s character arc, which will likely leave viewers deeply confused and impressed. However, I plan to see it again to confirm that my interpretation aligns with all the details, particularly those seemingly minor elements that ultimately prove significant. Peele's screenplay is thought-provoking and suspenseful, featuring well-developed characters and surprisingly effective action sequences. He seems capable of handling any aspect of filmmaking efficiently. The chase scenes are gripping, and the fight choreography is impressively intense. Furthermore, much of the action unfolds at night, requiring a director to maintain clarity for the audience – something Peele accomplishes flawlessly. I never lost track of what was happening during an action sequence; I always knew who everyone was, where they were, and what they were doing. Considering how mainstream action films are typically made today, this is high praise indeed. Many critics have labeled Jordan Peele as the “next Spielberg” or “new Hitchcock.” I’m calling him simply the first Jordan Peele! It's gratifying to see more people recognizing that he’s truly unique. His signature close-up shots of actors’ faces reveal a great deal about their characters, providing them with an opportunity to showcase their emotional range and talent – especially for someone like Lupita Nyong’o. Following my viewing of *Alita: Battle Angel*, I predicted it would receive an Oscar nomination for visual effects, and I still believe that's likely. Now, I also want to be among the first to suggest a Best Actress award for Lupita as well. Daniel Kaluuya was excellent in *Get Out*, but Lupita surpasses him with two powerfully captivating performances. As the original mother, she embodies kindness and warmth; as her doppelganger, she is frightening, menacing, and evil. These are vastly different characters with distinct physical and psychological traits, which Lupita portrays with remarkable skill and seeming ease, carrying the entire story on her shoulders. She deserves every accolade possible. She received considerable support from the rest of the cast as well. Winston Duke (Gabe Wilson) is consistently funny, providing a primary source of comedy throughout the film. Peele skillfully balances the tone, allowing Duke to shine in his role. *Us* can be quite dark and intense at times, so moments of humor are always welcome. The younger actors also deliver strong performances; I especially want to acknowledge Shahadi Wright Joseph’s portrayal of Zora Wilson. She was around the same age as Amandla Stenberg in *The Hunger Games*, and I recognized then that Stenberg would be an exceptional actress – a prediction that proved accurate. Now, I am completely confident that Shahadi will achieve similar success. I already mentioned Peele’s talent earlier, but his ability to film action sequences effectively in low light and write a compelling screenplay are just two examples of his skill. The score beautifully complements the narrative with catchy music during calm moments and unsettling, otherworldly sounds that instantly shift the atmosphere. Precise editing helps mask some minor issues I have with certain explanatory scenes, particularly toward the end. While I understand the need to clarify the story’s complexities after it's presented, I personally would have preferred complete ambiguity; a lack of explanation would have thrilled me. My only other reservation about the film concerns the portrayal of the other family, primarily by Elizabeth Moss (Kitty Tyler) and Tim Heidecker (Josh Tyler). Considering their roles in the narrative, either they could have been better utilized or perhaps shouldn’t exist at all. The middle ground between these two possibilities is what bothers me slightly, as it feels like these two talented actors, especially Moss, were underserved. They certainly contribute to the story's overall impact, but I wish they had more depth. I suspect audiences will prefer *Get Out* even though *Us* incorporates more conventional horror elements. This isn’t because of the story itself—which is easier to follow and ultimately understand (some people actually left the theater before the end!),—but also because it concludes definitively. Many viewers dislike films that leave them pondering questions afterward, so an open ending can be frustrating. That's what happens when you expect *Us* to be a generic horror film filled with predictable jump scares and shallow characters; instead, it’s a remarkable horror movie. If you want straightforward advice on how to approach the story, I’ll leave just one sentence after my rating. Jordan Peele is unlike anyone else. He consistently delivers thought-provoking, layered, and suspenseful stories that are captivating from start to finish, with no missteps along the way. Technically flawless, his trademark close-ups of characters' faces are particularly impactful. Lupita Nyong’o gives what I believe is her finest performance(s), which should earn her numerous award nominations and wins. The cast is exceptional, the tone is skillfully balanced with humor, and the action sequences are thrillingly frightening. *Us* resists a single interpretation; my perspective isn't necessarily correct or incorrect—it’s simply my own. It’s a film that can be watched repeatedly, each viewing revealing new insights you previously missed. Despite some minor issues, it is undoubtedly the best movie of 2019 so far, and I highly doubt it will fall out of my Top 10 by year's end. Thank you, Peele, for giving us great horror films and for being yourself. Go see it! Rating: A- Advice: pay attention to the boy’s actions and reactions to everything he sees and does.

Source on TMDB