OPEN THREAD: So, You’ve Seen Jordan Peele’s US And Your Brain Exploded

By request, here's this weekend's designated spoiler space for US.

By Mar. 22, 2019

Final Warning: Do not read this post or the attached comments until you have seen Jordan Peele's Us, a thing you should absolutely do as soon as humanly possible. If you want a spoiler-free review of the film (and a recommendation to see it twice), please click on over to this page. 

Alright, you demanded it, and we're following through: here's a spoiler space to discuss anything your heart desires about Jordan Peele's Us, which is storming into theaters this weekend with what looks to be a $60M+ opening. If you're reading this, we assume that you've already seen the movie, and have now rushed online to hear other people share their theories, thoughts, and favorite "Holy shit, did you notice ______ ?" moments (of which there are many). 

Here's a few random thoughts on my end, before I turn the mic over to y'all:

  • That moment where Elisabeth Moss' double gets in Lupita Nyong'o's face and mysteriously opts out of killing her? My theory is this: Moss' double could sense that this version of Nyong'o was also a double, and as such refuses to take her out. Pay attention, and you'll see this entire moment plays out (and is, indeed, framed exactly like) the moment in Alien 3 where the Xeno holds off on killing Ripley once it realizes she's pregnant with an alien Queen.
  • A family is massacred to two quintessentially American songs, The Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations" and NWA's "Fuck Tha Police". Discuss.
  • That final song is Minnie Riperton's "Les Fleurs". You're welcome (h/t to Will Goss).
  • By now, you've probably heard this, but just in case: Adelaide's mother has a throwaway line of dialogue in the opening boardwalk scene which reveals that a movie is filming "over by the carousel" on the same night. This is the same boardwalk where Joel Schumacher shot The Lost Boys. Peele confirms this was intentional.
  • Moss' double has a scar in the exact same place where Moss' character says she had plastic surgery done. Given that Red was compelled to give herself a C-section while Adelaide was giving birth up above, we can probably assume that scar is from Moss' double doing a bit of her own mirrored self-surgery. The attention to detail in this movie is insane.
  • The hall of mirrors Adelaide wanders into in 1986 is called Spirit Quest, and is Native American-themed. In present day, it's been overhauled with a new name (Merlin's Forest) and a wizard theme. Discuss.

Look, that's just off the top of my head, and the film is overflowing with details like these. Fill is in on your favorites in the space provided below, and don't be shy about sharing your interpretations of the film, its various symbols, or its final moment. We're all ears.

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