Us

THE GIST: A family's summer vacation turns into a nightmare when their apparent doppelgängers show up with murderous intents.

After bursting onto the scene with the brilliant Get Out, director/writer Jordan Peele confirms and solidifies his credentials with his sophomore outing, Us.

Peele sets up the story with an introduction to little Addy and the events that led to her discomfort with crowds, among other things, as an adult. He builds the story slowly and very effectively, leading up to the arrival of the body-doubles.

What follows is astutely laid out, leading the viewer through the maze that Peele set up, all the way to the final revelations. Simply brilliant.

Lupita Nyong'o is just fantastic as the lead, flanked by Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseph, and Evan Alex. Elisabeth Moss has a cool smaller role.

THE BOTTOM LINE: If you like mystery movies or original horror stories, you might end up appreciating Peele's work as much as I do. I would venture to put him in the same league as Alfred Hitchcock.

Grade: 9