‘Us’ // a movie discussion

US is Jordan Peele's sophomore directorial effort. Adelaide Wilson and her family visit their summer home in Santa Cruz. Although the boardwalk is a popular spot in the area, Adelaide has reservations about going because she had a traumatic experience there as a child. Although she relents and the family makes their way to the beach, Adelaide's fears escalate when her son seems to go missing.

Despite quickly finding him, the family decides to return home. Later that night, an eerie occurrence happens. A family dressed all in red stands in their driveway, holding hands, unmoving. What follows is an anxiety ridden nightmare straight out of a Twilight Zone episode. Peele once again deftly balances horror and comedy. The film's high intensity is cut with moments of levity to help ease the tension for the viewer.

While Peele's first film, Get Out, found its horrors in an all too familiar situation, playing on the friction that can arise amongst the racially mixed group, US garners its attention from something entirely unusual. Being afraid of the other when the other is us.

J. McVay and Jacqueline discuss the 2nd film by writer and director Jordan Peele, distributed by Universal Pictures.

Us stars Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss, Tim Heidecker, Shahadi Wright Joseph, Evan Alex, and Madison Curry.

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Episode Credits:

Producer/Host: J. McVay

Guests: Jacqueline Soller

Music: Hansdale Hsu

Originally released as part of a previous podcast on 3/29/19

Now released and distributed by Stereoactive Media