Us [2019]
Directed by: Jordan Peele
Once upon a time, reality took an unexpected turn one fateful summer day. The crackle of fireworks in the air and the busyness of games on the boardwalk and laughter hung in the air. Something unknown called young Adelaide from the hall of mirrors. Something unseen echoed into her reality and the events that took place that day will forever haunt her.
Fast forward years later, her now family decides to visit their beachfront home. Those memories resurface and this fear she buried continues to grow. A fear of what you may ask? A fear she since buried deep in the recesses of her mind. Until, the memories start to flow forward and the haunting feelings she's long since forgotten cannot be neglected anymore. There's something lying dormant and it's coming forth from the shadows to finally reclaim their world. The world that they were not allowed to have and they are reaping vengeance like clockwork. As the true mystery behind Adelaide's memories come forward so does that eerie familiarity she's long since forgotten. What's to become of Adelaide? Well, to find out you'll have to tune in. As the story of young Adelaide comes to surface once more. She must now face all sorts of nightmares to find closure to her story but...will she?
This film was genius in my opinion. The story-line and casting was spectacular. There was suspense, horror, and clear connections between both stories. Excellent cinematography and setting. I never once lost interest. The slowdown of 'I got five on it' was interesting and effective. Great soundtrack and overall excellent film! I can't reveal too much to avoid any additional spoilers. I think the only reason I didn't score this at a 10 was because the ending. The ending was poetic but it was one cruel irony and it challenges your level of perception. I'm not sure still weeks later if I feel okay with it. Lol 😆
***Major spoilers ahead***
When Red tells her story you slowly begin to understand why the Tethered are angry. Why she is angry and I'm angry too! lol I didn't see the ending coming and when she told her story I was furious but I understood why "Adelaide" did what she did. Imagine the significance of having free will and doing the same thing day in and day out. A monotonous pattern and it's inescapable!
Until one day, she decides enough is enough and ventures forward. You see this anger she had eternally manifested and she wanted to be freed from it and she did! At the cost of taking another life in the process.
Red died a long time ago when her family assumed her counterpart was her. She got the happy ending. She got the freedom she wanted but at the cost of the spirit of Red. Although Red got to have the same in her own way it wasn't the same as the life she once imagined. Her spirit clung on to day her and the other Tethered spirits would get their justice!
The justice for most was never found and for some it was. Almost symbolically they took back their lives that they were once promised. Red's cause wasn't doomed I suppose. It's sad how her story ended. Either way, she never got a happy ending. I find it cruel but it doesn't take away from the meaning the film had.
Excellent film all around and I highly recommend it!
9.4/10
Photo Credits: Universal Pictures
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