A Mirror to the Soul
Jordan Peele’s “Us” (2019) isn’t simply a horror movie. It chillingly examines the human mind, focusing on issues surrounding identity, privilege, and the duality of nature. The primary plot centers on the Wilson family (Adelaide [Lupita Nyong’o], Gabe [Winston Duke], and their children) and their gruesome doppelgängers, the Tethered. The Tethered Wilson family relentlessly pursuits their match during the night, forcing the family to confront their darkest self.
The Tethered Performances
Terror and horror movie characters have to hide to evoke the desired emotion from the audience. Lupita Nyong’o Adelaide and Tethered Red is an astonishing performance. She was willing to undergo the most meticulous process of defining a character from the other. So aggressive was her approach and character commitment that she is said to have left her copartners stunned. The same was true for Winston Duke. He embraced the complexity of his parts and performed Abe [the Tethered] and Gabe. He performed a brilliant duality of characters.
Behind the Scenes Struggles
Producing Us was challenging. Our teams dealt with time constraints, the…
trips needed to be coordinated so that primary and Tethered performances could be filmed in the same setting, and Tethered and primary performances could be filmed consecutively. This required multiple ‘shot’ setups, which is time and resource consuming. The combination of visual effects needed the teams to think ahead and execute in a coordinated manner. This, and other creative impediments in the production, could have allowed the teams to let jurisdiction relax. The dedication of the intended audience needed for horror with the added social critique was fulfilled.
Cultural Impact
The release of Us was a cultural moment and the social commentary a fresh discourse. The baser critique of the horror was fixated on the symbolism of the Tethered and the critique of the privileged, which is a critique of the oppression of society as a whole akin to people being ignored. These were real problems that needed discourse, and the film was a nod and subtle validation that people were being heard.
As An Actor
For Lupita Nyong’o, Us was more than a professional formal endeavor; it was a personal journey. The film was reflective of Nyong’o’s life in many ways, which is a testament to the power of a nuanced script and the blending of personal experience as a tributary to one’s character. Nyong’o, in addition to her performance, has shown the capacity of a profound influence on many within the community. This explains the forms taken in her performances in Us.
Us illustrates the scope of storytelling that confronts, entertains, and challenges the viewer. With its intriguing story and the commitment of its cast and crew, it remains a film that encourages introspection and invites audiences to engage with their own Tethered.
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