SXSW Unveils Jordan Peele’s “Us” To Raves
Last night, over at the South by Southwest Film Festival, Jordan Peele’s latest movie Us had its first screening. SXSW represents the launching pad for this late March release, which hopes to be as big a critical, cultural, and financial smash as Peele’s debut Get Out turned out to be. Well, at least one part of the equation seems to be taken care of, as the word out of SXSW is that it’s a real winner. I won’t be seeing the flick for another week or two, but judging by the festival word, it’s an early year must see for cinephiles.
As a reminder, up until now, the only hints about what this film was about came from the vague plot description. This is that synopsis, via IMDb: “A mother and father take their kids to their beach house, expecting to enjoy time with friends, but their serenity turns to tension and chaos when some visitors arrive uninvited.” That doesn’t suggest much, but what you’ll be seeing shortly has that, and more. Adelaide Wilson (Lupita Nyong’o) and Gabe Wilson (Winston Duke) seem primed for a family vacation, ready to enjoy sun, their pals (Tim Heidecker and Elisabeth Moss), and a relaxing getaway. Then, unexpected visitors arrive, leading to all hell breaking loose. You’ll see more in a moment, but these intruders have a lot in common with our heroes. Peele writes and directs, with supporting players including Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, among others. Michael Abels returns to again compose a score for Peele, while Mike Gioulakis handles the cinematography.
Here are some of the first reactions to Us from its SXSW debut on Friday evening:
Can honestly say I've never seen anything like @JordanPeele's 'Us'. It's incredibly violent, filled with stuff I didn't expect to happen, and completely original. Crowd was freaking out a few times. If you expected another 'Get Out' this isn't it. Shows Peele has a lot to say. pic.twitter.com/pOSx8yqieX
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) March 9, 2019
Jordan Peele's "Us" is a horror masterpiece. We are witnessing the birth of our modern day Hitchcock. 20 years from now we will ask one another what our favorite Peele film is & you will get 10/12 different answers. Incredible performance from Lupita Nyong'o! #UsMovie #UsFirst pic.twitter.com/vvHunYqSxd
— Clayton Davis (@AwardsCircuit) March 9, 2019
Jordan Peele’s #Us is absolutely nuts! Deliriously horrific, incredibly inventive, it has elements of the home invasion & zombie movies, but it is unlike anything I have ever seen. Wildly captivating from start to finish. #SXSW pic.twitter.com/vATBSUhD7e
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) March 9, 2019
US: Jordan Peele is unmistakably one helluva filmmaker. The ideas and themes of this need time to ruminate beyond an insta-tweet, but as a visceral experience it’s as solid as horror gets. #SXSW
— Erik Childress (@EriktheMovieman) March 9, 2019
Jordan Peele’s US is supremely deranged. There’s a great reverence for Rod Serling and Wes Craven in the DNA of this slasher, but there’s also a deep well of mythology, commentary, American perspective, and imagination that’s becoming Peele’s stamp. Wild.
— Matt Patches @ SXSW (@misterpatches) March 9, 2019
Jordan Peele's new horror movie US is deeply unnerving, and the unfolding mystery of the story is really compelling. Not entirely sold on the ending, but I'm looking forward to weeks of people arguing about it. And there's plenty for the symbol-hunters to talk about, too. #SXSW pic.twitter.com/BAFCKFYD0d
— Tasha Robinson (@TashaRobinson) March 9, 2019
It’s official: Jordan Peele is the new Spielberg. #Us is going to be one of the biggest movies of the year. #SXSW
— Ramin Setoodeh (@RaminSetoodeh) March 9, 2019
#UsMovie is a heck of an experience. Funny enough to make you laugh, scary enough to make you scream, genuinely heartbreaking in moments, anchored by several incredible dual performances, especially Lupita’s. #SXSW
— Angie J. Han (@ajhan) March 9, 2019
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Stay tuned for more on Us between now and its late March release date!
