Clement Gibson
Editor-in-Chief
Jordan Peele’s “Us” is smashing box office records, nearly doubling analysts’ opening weekend projections and scored the best first weekend live-action original since 2009’s “Avatar,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
Peele’s film was released less than a week ago, March 22, and has already surpassed $77 million in cumulative earning via Forbes.
The story takes place in Santa Cruz, Calif. where Adelaide Wilson, played by Lupita Nyong’o, and her family are vacationing.
Wilson grew up in the area and is haunted by a traumatic experience from her childhood. While vacationing, she becomes overly concerned about what may happen to her family.
In due time, her worst fears come true as a family of four stand hand-in-hand in the Wilsons’ driveway as midnight approaches.
The unknown family forces the Wilsons’ to fight for survival, but the irony lies in the fact that they are fighting versions of themselves.
This film serves as director Jordan Peele’s sophomore production after thrilling the world with “Get Out” in 2017.
Many believed that Peele would mirror his success with a similar film, as he is proving to do, but this time, he is doing it in a different fashion.
Instead of pointing the finger at the contrasting differences, this film points the finger at someone we know better than anyone else, ourselves.
Witty, meticulous and strategic are all words that can be used to describe this movie, but a warning to all who plan to watch. Bring your thinking caps with you.
Do not get lost in the possible side chatter and comments from the audience. Watch and think critically because this detail-oriented film requires every bit of your attention.
In just six days, Peele’s latest work sits at a new low of 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes after opening with an astounding 100 percent rating.
Other movie critics like IMDb and Common Sense Media gave the horror film a 7.5/10 and 4/5 respectively.
Even with all the success, there’s been some negative comments. Jake Kleinman, the entertainment editor at “inverse.com” credits marketing for Jordan Peele’s ‘not-so-great horror movie.’
“Us isn’t the movie we were promised. All that marketing was clearly enough to send fans of ‘Get Out’ back to movie theaters,” said Kleinman.
Michael Perdomo, a senior social work major from Costa Mesa, Calif., said the movie was very confusing.
Perdomo stated, “I was completely lost. I’m not even going to lie. I thought it would be like his last movie [“Get Out”], but I was so wrong. It may be too early to say this, but in my opinion, I think the movie is overrated.”
Leem Okojie, a criminal justice major from Philadelphia, Pa., said he regrets comparing the movie to Jordan Peele’s 2017 hit.
“I spent the whole movie trying to find similar clues about race that I saw in the last movie. It took away from my first experience with ‘Us’. So, I went to see it again and I must say it is genius. You have to really pay attention to details though or you’ll leave the theaters confused and think it sucked,” said Okojie.
Much like my favorite artists, J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar, and their type of music that serves complex, mind-boggling, deep, metaphorical messages. Peele does the same.
The average listener may not have the time or mental compacity to fully understand and dive into the lyrics of such artists, but those who like a good challenge love it.
Remember to keep an open mind while watching this movie, or else you may find yourself lost or wanting more and going to see the film over and over again for clarification.
Then again, maybe that is what Peele wants.
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