Why US Works So Well

by Levi Jacobson

You might be excited for Jordan Peele’s new project US based on box office numbers alone, but other movies that have reached and exceeded that number ($173,980,920 at the moment) have not been as good (for example Scream 3, which grossed $161.8 million in its overall run). But US has grossed more than that in less then two months, and US is not Scream 3. It’s also not Get Out. To compare US to Get Out is to discredit both films because they are so different. It is like comparing The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable; it doesn’t make sense and its insulting to both films. US has “classic” written all over it, and Jordan Peele might just be this generation’s Alfred Hitchcock. Or maybe he’s just Jordan Peele, a term I predict is going to be used in future generations to indicate quality, originality, humor, and great direction. This film is OVERALL AMAZING.

This review will be split into five parts:

1. The Scare Factor
2. The Hilarity (the Jordan Peele-ness)
3. The Direction
4. The Plot
5. The Verdict

THE SCARE FACTOR

I will start by saying this movie is scary as HELL, The doubles (the tethered) are very frightening, and the make-up on Lupita Nyong’o’s tether, Red, is Oscar-worthy and terrifying. The grunts the tethered make are unsettling and creepy. The incredible acting makes the tethered look and act like different people. The soundtrack is also a standout among other films of this genre. Especially the “I Got 5 On It (Tethered Mix from US).” In this film, I felt the most unsettled and uncomfortable since The Shining.  

I am going to give THE SCARE FACTOR a 10/10

THE HILARITY

I will start by saying this movie is very Jordan Peele, meaning it uses subtle humor that regulates and paces the funnies and frights. For me, the name Jordan Peele equals masterful comedy. This movie has great comedians Tim Heidecker (of Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! and Tim and Eric’s Bedtime Stories!) and Winston Duke, who both have perfect timing and delivery. And yes this movie is basically a horror flick with a strong dose Key and Peele humor in it. So the combination is amazing.

I am going to give THE HILARITY a 10/10

THE DIRECTION

This movie is incredibly well shot. If you saw Get Out, you know the type of direction Jordan Peele uses here. He has mastered the only showing what’s important but not being flashy and obnoxious technique only a few have perfected: Hitchcock, John Carpenter, Stanley Kubrick, and Wes Caven to name a few. But Jordan Peele has taken techniques from everyone and has mastered them.

I am going to give THE DIRECTION a 10/10

THE SCRIPT

The basic plot is an African American family goes to their summer home and encounters mysterious doubles of themselves. The meaning is ambiguous and thought-provoking. I would further dissect what makes the plot so good, but this would make my review full of spoilers, so just take my word for it.

I am going to give THE SCRIPT a 10/10

THE VERDICT

All the essential cinematic elements (such as the score, the screenplay, the acting, and the direction) factor into the verdict. In this film, all the elements–down to smallest detail like what movie is on the shelf and what commercials are playing on the screen–are successful and intentional. The result is an amazing blockbuster film that conveys the message that we are own worst enemies. All and all, this movie was a blast and I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of art, media and/or film.

I AM GOING TO GIVE US A 10/10