‘Us’ is a well-made horror film with great performances, but also a flawed premise

Posted on March 29, 2019

By MARK VIOLA

Obviously, reviewing movies has little to do with objectivity. I’m here to give you my opinion of a movie. Still, there are times when I find a film that truly entertains me, but is still one that I don’t think will entertain most others. One example that comes to mind is 2013’s “Oblivion,” and I even stated as much in my review of that film.

On the flip side, there are films that just simply don’t work for me, but will likely entertain many others. Once again reaching back to 2013, an example would be “Snowpiercer,” a film that received near universal praise from critics, not to mention pretty much everyone I know who has seen it. Unfortunately, I had a big problem buying into an important part of the premise, and I found myself checking out of the film long before it was over.

That was the same feeling I was left with while watching “Us,” written and directed by Jordan Peele (“Get Out”). The much-anticipated horror film is incredibly well made, with great editing and cinematography, not to mention superb performances from the entire cast. The script is inventive and unique, keeping everyone on their toes while the characters fight for their lives and the audience tries to figure out what’s really going on.

Still, just like with “Snowpiercer,” there is a major aspect of the underlying premise — something I can’t divulge without spoiling much of the movie’s secrets — that simply didn’t work for me. I don’t like to nitpick movies, but this was a foundational part of the story, and I once again found myself dissociating with the film, so much so that when the final twist is revealed, I met it with a detached acceptance rather than the shock it should have produced.

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