The Other Us: A Critical Analysis of Race in Jordan Peele’s Us

Name: Danté Fair
Major: Communication Studies
Advisors: Dr. Rohini Singh, Dr. Nii Nikoi
The purpose of this study was to examine the portrayal of race in African American producer Jordan Peele’s film Us. Using critical analysis techniques guided by Critical Race Theory this study found that Peele’s film Us, with the use of doppelgangers, highlights three main processes of othering: the other as foreign, the other as monster, and the other as unfree. Additionally, the film provides a clear focus on the other within oneself, allowing Us to function as a social critique of life in the United States. Real-world implications in Us and Peele’s use of symbolism solidified the film’s place in the New Black Realism genre. Furthermore, with his second film Us, Jordan Peele solidifies his place in the horror genre while also exposing societal issues that hinder Black People and people of color. However, Peele shares a clear message with the film: the solution to the problem begins with a look in the mirror because the problem starts with us.

Danté will be online to field comments on April 16:
10am-noon EDT (Asia: late evening, PST: 6-8am, Africa/Europe: late afternoon)

Posted in I.S. Symposium 2021, Independent Study on April 4, 2021.