Jordan Peele is here to take care of our horror needs. His unique way of approaching social commentary via genre film is not only thought provoking but also a service to the American public. Racism told via body snatching? Check. [GET OUT, 2017] Abandonment and homelessness told via murderous doppelgangers? Check and check. [US, 2019] As Peele told Variety in a 2018 interview, he is “passionate about content that is both elevated and socially meaningful but not at the sacrifice of fun.”
Alright, let’s now get down to business and talk about Peele’s newest movie, US (2019). Just kidding, let’s first remember—or in my case, learn about—Hands Across America. Hands Across America was an 80’s fundraiser stunt which tried to enlist 6 million participants to form a coast-to-coast human chain, all in an effort to raise between $50 million and $100 million dollars for hungry and homeless Americans. The event happened on May 25, 1986 and although 5 million people did show up and held hands for 15 minutes from Manhattan to Long Beach, the calculated netted amount was only $15 million. (Wanna learn more? Go here.)
Okay, okay, enough screwing around, here’s US (2019):
**SPOILERS AHEAD**
I am trusting you are a dedicated Horror fan and already went to see the film on the big screen and know what happened, yada yada yada, the twist at the end was expected but still great! Yes, Adelaide Wilson’s “shadow” was the real Adelaide. Yes, the movie followed the story of “Tethered Red”, the clone, who became Adelaide by kidnapping her in 1986 when she was not being watched by her parents. Yes, that’s why fake Adelaide couldn’t speak after the incident at the beach fair (the “Tethered” don’t speak, just grunt like animals, duh!). Yes, yes, that’s why adult Adelaide was hesitant to go back to the beach with her family in present day – not because she was afraid something bad was going to happen to “her” again, but because she was afraid she was going to get caught, double duh!
[Fake Adelaide & Adelaide – the clone about to kidnap the real one]
[Adelaide & Fake Adelaide – the real one about to try to take revenge on the clone]
As I see it, the movie was a Yin and Yang of sorts and it was only scary because violence occurred and information was withheld making everyone uneasy, plus, let’s be honest, Peele’s sophisticated eye is what made this tale of survival of the strongest so beautiful and worth watching. Here, let me list all the things I loved about US:
80’s home decor
The VHS tapes by the TV when it was playing the ad for Hands Across America
The ominous reflection of kid Adelaide on the TV with the ad and the map of the United States
The uncomfortable mom and dad interaction at the beach fair
Adelaide exploring/getting lost at the fair at night
All the creepy background characters
The house of mirrors
The terror on Adelaide’s face when she encounters her clone
On present day: Adelaide’s family
All the small little details in the nice family interactions (car/dinner/boat/beach)
Adelaide’s husband (yum! #sorrynotsorry)
Adelaide’s subdued gestures hinting to the audience that something odd was going on in her head
When the clone family arrives
“If you wanna get crazy, we can get crazy.”
Red (real Adelaide) introducing her family & explaining who they are
“We are Americans.”
Red’s raspy voice
Umbrae’s demented stare! OMG SO CREEPY!!
When we learn that there are more killer clones in the town
The clone twins! OMG I DIED!!
Dahlia crying/evil-laughing! OMG SO SINISTER I ALMOST CRIED HAPPY TEARS!!
The hundreds of clones dressed in red, holding hands just like in Hands Across America
The final battle between Red and Adelaide in the tunnels (fight + backstory showing the clones controlling the ‘above ones’ like puppets)
When Adelaide realizes, after killing Red, that her son, who was hidden, might have listened to them talking, thus might know that she is the clone! And then, back in the car, he looking at her stone-faced and she almost, but not really, but kind of, giving him a look that said, And what are you going to do about it?
I cannot wait to rewatch US and pick up on all the other details I know I missed. Peele was so meticulous with this film that each scene, each word, each object had a purpose. There was nothing gratuitous in US and that, my horror friend, is elevated content. Hear, hear!
In Love and Fear,
-Marath
© 2016-2019