KANSAS CITY, Mo. — If you listen to our “Screened on the Spot” podcast, you know I am no fan of the horror genre. Who likes sweating for 2 hours and jumping out of their seats?
Not this girl.
Things changed when I saw Jordan Peele’s first movie, “Get Out.” The A-HA, I-see-what-you’re-trying-to-say moments outweighed the OMG-I’m-so-scared-and-hate-this moments. I loved “Get Out."
As much as I was excited about his second movie “Us,” I was also not excited. I knew it was going to be good, but I wasn’t looking forward to the physical experience of being in the theater and subjecting myself to total terror.
Here’s the synopsis:
Lupita Nyong’o is Adelaide, a mom and wife who, as a child in the 1980’s, wandered off at an amusement park located on the beach and saw something that traumatized her. She’s still dealing with the aftermath of that moment in her adult life, becoming overprotective of her own kids and uneasy at the beach. So when years later her family heads to that very same amusement park, she is not happy. She senses something isn’t right and is ready to get out of town. That’s when a family of strangers that look exactly like them show up at their house. They stand outside their driveway looking very menacing and no one knows what the heck these people want. Luckily, Adelaide knows it is not the time to talk, but run.
The first 40 minutes of “Us” are uncomfortable. The opening sequence that takes place in the 80’s is dark and full of dread and Peele’s film-making style brings the drama. We then transition to present time and some scenes far less terrifying as we get to know Adelaide and her family. But you’re still left on edge because you know something bad is probably coming. It does. When we are first introduced to the look-a-like family, I squirmed and sweated. They are quite creepy, their eyes wide and movements twitchy. However, I was able to relax a little once I got used to seeing them on screen.
Make no mistake, that doesn’t mean “Us” lets the foot off the gas. It is a full-fledged slasher/horror flick and you won’t get a moment to breathe when the other family shows up. It’s also a cut above your typical slasher fare. There are messages interwoven and discussions must be had after the credits roll. You will not leave the theater and simply put the movie behind you. Much like “Get Out," this movie is one you will think about and talk about days later.
Sarah Unruh is co-host of the Screened on the Spot podcast, which comes out every Friday and is available where ever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify.
