Review of Us (2019) by Shpostal — 23 Mar 2019

The much heralded buzz preceding "Us" has guaranteed at least for opening weekend a blockbuster, even with its deserved R rating for lots of violence and scissor maniacs. In my city, in one theater it's hogging up seven screens including the IMAX, and that is overdoing it at the expense of other films out that I'm doubtful will ever be shown locally.

Having seen "Get Out", a really twisted horror tale mixed with racial commentary, I had high hopes for "Us". But I can only muster up six points because despite the great acting, requiring all the principle characters to take on double roles, and really showcasing their obvious talents, as the film progresses messily toward the final act of what is supposed to reveal the secrets behind the scenario of body doubles killing their "normal" originals, it is left up to much assumption.

Yes, there are some twists here. No decent horror movie should be without them. But Peele deliberately has left far too much detail hanging - such as, who created these doubles in the first place and why? And, if, as the film suggests, they are nationwide, where the hell is law enforcement, the Army, etc.

? Socially it's an odd duck. I do not know exactly what Peele is trying to imply here, unless it's facing the worst fears of anybody - ourselves. I have my faults, but I'm not afraid of myself.

But if you don't sweat some obvious lacks in details and don't mind the lack of a true resolution and climax, "Us" is okay. However, another film out, "Captive State" has been criticized for not closing the plot holes, whereas I thought it did so in fine style, keeping you pinned to the seat until the very end of the film.

So, if you want a thriller type movie that actually has an ending, you may want to think twice about "Us.