The horror film Us directed by Jordan Peele in 2019 is a masterpiece and visually stunning work in the art of storytelling through cinematic techniques. This film tells the story of a family on vacation in Santa Cruz, California. The family is attacked by doppelgangers called "The Tethered." The Tethered are revealed to be clones created as part of a government experiment. The film explores themes of identity, class, and the shadow self, while the family fights to survive against their Tethered counterparts. In Jordan Peele's horror film Us the themes of identity and duality are central to the story. It uses the interaction between mise-en-scène and cinematography to create a sense of duality and tension. The film explores themes of identity, …show more content…
One notable example is the use of mirror shots, which are used throughout the film to create a sense of doubling and reflection. In one scene, when the Wilson family is forced to confront their doppelgängers, the camera switches back and forth between the two groups, with each shot framed in the same way. This creates a sense of unease, as the viewer is forced to confront the idea of a second self that exists in parallel to their own. The use of tracking shots also contributes to the film's exploration of identity and duality. In one notable scene, the camera follows Adelaide Wilson (Lupita Nyong'o) as she runs through the carnival, with the camera following her movements and the environment around her changing as she moves. This use of tracking shots creates a sense of disorientation and confusion, highlighting the tension between the two sides of Adelaide's identity and the world she …show more content…
The use of color and contrast in the film's mise-en-scène serves to emphasize the differences between the two groups and the concept of duality. Additionally, the use of setting and props reinforces the film's themes and creates a sense of vulnerability for the characters. The film's cinematography is equally important in creating a sense of tension and unease, with the use of camera movement, framing, and lighting serves to highlight the duality between the two groups and create a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty. Overall, Us is a masterful example of how the interaction between mise-en-scène and cinematography can be used to convey complex themes and create a powerful cinematic