Us: Jordan Peele’s Scariest Pure Horror Film

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Jordan Peele is quickly becoming one of Hollywood’s most exciting directors. Interestingly, even though all his films are horror, my least favorite is actually his most frightening. Still, even calling something by Peele my ‘least favorite’ is a compliment, considering he’s already made three excellent movies.

Jordan Peele first became famous for his comedy work, but he really gained widespread recognition with his 2017 film, Get Out, which was a major success and earned him an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. While Get Out is still considered his career highlight, I believe his strongest horror film actually came soon after.

Us Is Jordan Peele’s Scariest Movie

Although Get Out was excellent, Jordan Peele’s next film, Us, leans more directly into the horror genre. Get Out certainly had frightening moments, but it functioned more as a thriller. The scariest part for many viewers was actually the ending, when the police arrived and it seemed the main character might be wrongly accused.

From start to finish, Jordan Peele’s Us is genuinely frightening. The film opens with a disturbing flashback featuring a funhouse and a shadowy double, and is quickly followed by a terrifying image of young Jason approaching someone on the beach with bloodied, outstretched arms.

The arrival of the Tethered at the Wilson family’s home is genuinely frightening. Their strange movements and the home invasion are deeply unsettling, and the acting is superb. Lupita Nyong’o delivers a truly terrifying performance, making her character, Red, one of the most frightening in recent cinema.

She’s unsettling in every way – from how she moves and speaks, to her ability to always seem like she’s anticipating what’s next. The movie is filled with frightening visuals, and the overall atmosphere makes it even more creepy. While the ending might not satisfy all viewers, it’s a darker conclusion than what we’ve seen in the director’s previous work.

Us Isn’t Quite As Good As Get Out Or Nope

While Us delivers Jordan Peele’s most frightening moments, I actually think it’s his weakest film overall. Get Out, on the other hand, is a truly exceptional horror movie and a huge achievement. It was a massive commercial success, established Peele as a promising director, and even earned an Academy Award.

Beyond its success as a thriller, Get Out resonated with audiences because of its insightful commentary on issues like racial bias, the idea of being “colorblind,” and the problematic “white savior” narrative. Many consider it Jordan Peele’s best work, and while Us is also a fantastic film, it’s hard to imagine any movie replicating the cultural impact of Get Out.

Jordan Peele delivered another hit with his third film, Nope. Reuniting with Daniel Kaluuya, the movie blends horror and science fiction, centering around an encounter with aliens.

While Nope was widely praised as one of the year’s best films and a standout sci-fi movie, Us received a more mixed response. Though not as critically acclaimed, Us is the most straightforward horror film from the director.

My Least Favorite Peele Movie Being Us Shows How Great His Films Are

Saying Us is my least favorite Jordan Peele movie isn’t a criticism. It actually highlights just how consistently great his films are. He’s made three fantastic movies, and each one feels completely original.

Jordan Peele is a remarkably versatile filmmaker, which is why he’s generating so much buzz. His films – Get Out, Us, and Nope – have all been both critically acclaimed, with Rotten Tomatoes scores between 83% and 98%, and financially successful.

Even my least favorite Jordan Peele movie is better than most films by other directors. While you can’t really go wrong with any of his work, Get Out is generally considered his best. If you’re looking for his most frightening movie, though, Us is the one to watch.

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2025-10-29 20:40