The weakest part of Get Out was when it went into full-on horror mode. Peele’s strength is in the characters, the suspense created by the mystery and the metaphorical aspect of the story. Us has a good deal of constant suspense, and the more we learn about the Teathered, it raises questions instead of intrigue. That’s why the more I read about the film and its metaphors (which are not as surface as in Get Out), the more I like the film on that level.
The film worked a lot better for me on a rewatch. Going in knowing the mystery I could enjoy the layers of meaning much more. What initially comes off as messy is delightfully open to interpretations. That’s mostly due to Peele’s tight pacing, the ounces of fat have marbled into delicious flavor. Performances are just as strong on a 2nd watch, and the horror hasn’t lessened because Peele is more into getting under your skin than making you scream in fear. Would be hard to show to a scaredy cat because the terror springs from disturbing imagery and situations, not shocks and surprises. There are a number of moments of dread or anticipation, plus Lupita Nyong’o’s eerie teathered voice.
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