"Us" (2019)

Jordan Peale is back with his highly entertaining, creepy-yet-intelligent, smuggle message into the genre, horror. He is truly the heir to Sterling, as evidenced by his new version of Twilight Zone to hit the air in a few days. And, much like the last heir, M. Night, his films are smart, well-made, and twisty. Hopefully he will avoid the later’s downward trend.

For my money, he has taken a step downward from “Get Out.” But this is still a very fun, very smart film. Peale’s movies, as all horror, depend on a high suspension of disbelief. His premises tend to be goofier than most. And “Us” is even more of a leap than the brain transfers of “Get Out.” However, if you can ignore the implausible premise, there is a lot of thrill and shock in “Us.” And, there is a lot to think about.

At one point in the film, the monsters are asked, “Who are you people?” In the least subtle line of the film, the answer comes: “We’re Americans.” And yet, there is a lot to digest in that statement. Who are we when we look at the worst aspects of our nature? And why is it that we allow fear and hate mongering to draw that worst out of us?

Amidst all the home-invasion and slasher tropes and trappings, there is a bigger question that could horrify audiences of “Us.” Who are the monsters, really?