A family’s serenity turns to chaos when a group of doppelgängers begins to terrorize them.
Coming off the heels of the wildly and unexpectedly successful “Get Out,” writer/director Jordan Peele delivers his sophomore outing in the form of “Us,” a horror-drama-mystery that is long on style but somewhat short on coherence.
The film opens with intriguing references to the thousands of miles of underground tunnels, subways and mines that exist below the surface of the U.S. Immediately thereafter we meet Adelaide Wilson, played by Madison Curry, at the Santa Cruz boardwalk near the beach. Adelaide wanders off from her parents and into a funhouse-style maze of effects and mirrors – when something happens. Much of that something teases out during the full course of the two-hour film.
Referenced at the beginning and during numerous scenes is the 1986 Hands Across America event that emerged as a way to fund local charities fighting hunger, homelessness and assisting those in poverty. This theme figures prominently throughout “Us,” clearly intended as a metaphor pointing out social and economic inequality still rampant in America.
Years later, we encounter a grown-up Adelaide confidently portrayed by Lupita Nyong’o, who readily provides the centerpiece for this production. Her character dominates both the nuclear family, as well as the force to reckon with in regard to the bizarre unfolding proceedings. In a particularly creepy moment, Adelaide asks her counterpart – named Red – who she is. Red replies with a wry smile and a guttural voice, “I’m an American.”
Unfortunately, in the course of the action, the fantastic nature of the plot constantly gets in the way. Suspension of disbelief about a replicated society grows progressively more difficult as the plot elements unfold – with too many annoying and unanswered questions emerging in the process. Are the doppelgängers human and if so, from where does the apparent superhuman strength emanate, to name just two. Other unreconciled inconsistencies (and spoilers) manifest themselves throughout the story.
Criticisms aside, the casting remains superb. All of the performances are first-rate. Zora Wilson and Evan Alex as Adelaide’s children and Winston Duke as the husband offer strong support, as do Elizabeth Moss and Tim Heidecker playing the nearby neighbors. Each character’s evil twin or doppelgänger serves up an opportunity for the actors to demonstrate their considerable range.
Striking imagery constitutes another strength, such as the underground sequences hinting of Stanley Kubrick’s directorial flair. Other sections of the feature are suggestive of M. Night Shyamalan, including a seemingly obligatory twist at the end – now widely adopted to a greater or lesser extent by many filmmakers.
Finally, although the movie contains several references to Jeremiah 11:11, the actual quote never appears as such: “Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.”
“Us” delivers a visually interesting narrative that, alas, runs on for too long, exacerbating a strained plot device. For all its style and tension, the thick allegorical structure inexorably imposes itself on the production at every turn.
In theaters Friday, March 22nd
