lupita nyong'o and elisabeth moss in jordan peele's Us.

The Superbowl Trailer for Jordan Peele’s Us Brings the Chills

Whelp, we won't be sleeping tonight.
This article is over 5 years old and may contain outdated information

Recommended Videos

As an avowed sports non-fan, my favorite part of the Superbowl is always the commercials. And in recent years, the Superbowl gods have have always given us a sneak peek at highly anticipated upcoming films. This year proves to be no different, but Jordan Peele has given us a pre-kickoff treat by posting the latest trailer for his horror film Us on Reddit.

The trailer is shorter than the first trailer, but gives us more glimpses of the world of Us and the mind of its female protagonist, Adelaide Wilson (Lupita Nyong’o). In voice-over she says, “You know how sometimes things line up, coincidences? Since we’ve been up here they’ve been happening more and more. It’s like there’s this black cloud hanging over us.”

We see snippets of people huddled in a circle. A homeless man sports a cardboard sign that reads Jeremiah 11:11, with 11:11 is written on his forehead. That verse, if you’re curious, reads: “Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘I will bring on them a disaster they cannot escape. Although they cry out to me, I will not listen to them.”

Oh boy. There’s also the palindrome of 11:11 to consider, which is surely not accidental given that the film is about a family fighting off their own evil doppelgängers.

It feels impossible that Jordan Peele could top his debut film Get Out, a critical and commercial success that has already left an indelible thumbprint on popular culture. The film won Peele the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, a rarity for a horror film. But Us looks just as bracing and devastating as its predecessor. Peele has tapped into something that elevates the horror genre: the intimacy and depth of both his story and his characters are loaded with meaning.

The very best horror, the films that last the test of time, reach into our basest fears and recreate them on the screen. Nothing is scarier than the personal, and that is what Peele excels in. He draws out the personal in his work, making the fear resonate deeply within us. There’s nothing shallow about it, Peele’s writing is rooted in deep-seated panic, paranoia and terror.

It shouldn’t be surprising that Peele is both a gifted comedian and a horror creator. Both genres are linked in an involuntary physical response, be it fear or laughter. It’s out of our control.

All we can say is, March 22nd can’t come soon enough.

(via /Film, image: Universal Pictures)

Want more stories like this? Become a subscriber and support the site!

The Mary Sue has a strict comment policy that forbids, but is not limited to, personal insults toward anyone, hate speech, and trolling.—


The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Chelsea Steiner
Chelsea Steiner
Chelsea was born and raised in New Orleans, which explains her affinity for cheesy grits and Britney Spears. An pop culture journalist since 2012, her work has appeared on Autostraddle, AfterEllen, and more. Her beats include queer popular culture, film, television, republican clownery, and the unwavering belief that 'The Long Kiss Goodnight' is the greatest movie ever made. She currently resides in sunny Los Angeles, with her husband, 2 sons, and one poorly behaved rescue dog. She is a former roller derby girl and a black belt in Judo, so she is not to be trifled with. She loves the word “Jewess” and wishes more people used it to describe her.