Film Theory: What Is Us REALLY About? (Jordan Peele's Us)

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Us is a movie FULL of metaphors and hidden meanings that we will be analyzing for a long time to come. Today, I want to tackle what I think is the message at the heart of the film; the main theme that Jordan Peele was trying to drill into our minds - not literally of course, he's not a Tethered... or is he? Loyal Theorists, today we are breaking down the nightmare of the American dream that is the movie Us.
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#Us #JordanPeele #UsMovie #ScaryMovie #HorrorMovie #UsTheory #UsEnding #EndingExplained #Twist #FilmTheory
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Credits:
Writer: Stephanie Patrick
Editors: BanditRants, Alex "Sedge" Sedgwick, and Koen Verhagen
Assistant Editor: AlyssaBeCrazy
Sound Editor: Yosi Berman
Sources:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hands_A...
www.latimes.com/archives/la-x...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_I...
stellaadler.com/
blog.beachboardwalk.com/

[@ampdarts850]

Her mom noticed she wasn't the same tho. The therapist just wrote it off as ptsd but the mom knew something was different. She said "I just want my daughter back"

[@kenudice9841]

That statement has a double meaning. This could have been the physical person, or the behavior of the same person.

[@strawberrycow7087]

Yeah I was confused on that to I thought that they were having a divorce or something

[@libradawg9]

Obviously the context was figurative, but what makes it great is it was actually literal.

[@nicolelavigne1700]

And it explains why it took her so long to speak again. It wasn't trauma, she was literally learning to speak for the first time.

[@libradawg9]

@@nicolelavigne1700 The ironies are so thick and genius. Above I said how *I want my daughter back* was meant to be figurative, but it's actually literal since she didn't have her daughter. In this case, she was mute because she never spoke while the real one could no longer speak after being strangled.

[@salmaantoniaalfaqeeh]

I’m surprised MatPat didn’t touch on Kitty’s phrasing of “I could’ve been a movie star.” Most actors aren’t movie stars. Most aren’t even in movies. It shows that she doesn’t want to be an actress, necessarily, but rather that she just wants the glory and fame associated with being a big name in Hollywood. That she only wants what she sees. She only wants the glamor. She only wants what’s on the surface.

[@ceasar-]

I agree with what you said, but I just don’t get what you meant by some actors aren’t even in movies?

[@salmaantoniaalfaqeeh]

C E A S A R theatre actors was mostly what I was referring to, but a lot of actors are strictly tv or commercial actors. Doesn’t mean they’re not actors, just that they’re not in movies.

[@dozhadeville444]

Absolutley

[@KuueenKumi]

I agree, but I think a better way of phrasing it would be that... Nobody calls it "movie star" anymore, not unless you're talking about actors who were associated with glamor, wealth, being a household name across America, and being the person everyone either wanted to be or be with. She didn't want to be an actress, she wanted the perks, the glamorous lifestyle, that she along with many Americans, have come to associate with it. Being a "star".

[@themaskedman4549]

Idk what that mean your being a motor mouth (no afence)

[@JP-pm5hj]

I can't believe that this was Jordan Peele's second movie. It blows my mind that he managed to make two movies that appear to be made by a director with years of experience, but was actually made by a comedian that is also a freaking cinematic genius

[@congaroach]

yes!!

[@runfast4183]

Correct

[@agodelianshock9422]

Tons of actors help the other roles though. John Krasinski started directing and producing his stuff too. You can learn a lot when you work with talented people.

[@rljpdx]

jordan AND peele have been in hollywood (or a reasonable facsimile) their whole lives, well the parts you know about anyways. this is nothing new to either of them

[@dkal7112]

Candymang

[@Ferro2155]

When she's telling her husband about her experience on the beach she says that she didn't know why she walked away from her parents. It sounds like she just doesn't remember but it really is because she had no idea

[@aweebwithaconsle9539]

Ye foreshadowing

[@christianmcnally4323]

But SHE did have to walk away from HER parents

[@drnstjhn]

@@christianmcnally4323right. my brain was hurting for a sec trying to understand but i think this original commenter is confused

[@elysef2741]

maybe she was synced with her tethered counterpart which led her to the funhouse?

[@duavibes1203]

OHHHH

[@JustASorcerer]

Notice also how the scissors are also gold. Gold was always a symbol of wealth, and the scissors were used as a weapon in the movie....

[@sabalghoo]

You're pushing it now

[@BeepBeepRayya]

In some shots they were silver

[@frenchsoldier8485]

@@BeepBeepRayya Gold and silver are worth a fair bit of money

[@lichen6962]

That's deeper than the stab wounds

[@maddogkilla1]

Stop the presses!!

[@theitalianmexican1035]

My favorite part of the Movie is when Jason killed his copy. It’s was really cool to see him realize that his copy literally does everything he does, so he just walks backwards and makes his copy burn in the fire.

[@sydssolanumsamsys]

"It is was really cool..."

[@BibidyIsDignate]

That was a big brain move

[@BibidyIsDignate]

Where can I find the scene?

[@stupidloser9282]

Is your profile pic that cat from the 2018 ghost game on Google? If it is I love it

[@theitalianmexican1035]

@@stupidloser9282 yep.

[@ridaasim2493]

It's also there when Adelaide says she isn't feeling like herself at the beginning of the movie and Gabe says that "she's looking like herself"

[@tasha9007]

wait i forgot abt that it definitely means something

[@iwy8879]

i finally watched the film today and really enjoyed theorising on it and there’s one thing matpat didn’t mention that i thought was cool: after telling us how the Tethered were forced to do everything the real ones did but do it themselves (Addy got a c-section, her tethered had to cut open herself, the woman getting surgery and the clone having to do it herself) makes another point on how the upper middle class/upper class that can afford these sorts of things, is built on the back of someone poorer than them experiencing something worse. going through worse hardships.

[@jjadac3529]

By learning this, the terthered are feeling more like victims to me

[@theultimateprime6833]

it also explains how Red was the only "Tethered" able to actually speak english. Did nobody else notice that?

[@thatboilee]

that was the first thing i noticed since all the other shadows were all just making animalistic noises

[@nonottoday5042]

True true but that’s why her teacher was able to speak the others hadn’t been around real speaking humans

[@amandapanda9253]

And when her parents were at the doctors for addie, they said something about why won’t she talk to us, that’s because she was never able to talk

[@mihailmarin4683]

Yeah, too bad she has to talk like that since the clone chocked her unconscious.

[@stitchedmouthgirl]

@@mihailmarin4683 Red’s voice becoming extremely scratchy is actually the psychological result of having her life ripped away and being forced down into the tunnels of the clones where everyone is completely hollow, not from being choked unconscious. I’ve never understood why Adelaide was able to talk to though, since all the female tethered are completely mute and the male tethered can only make animalistic noises.

[@BeepOwenn]

Everyone: theorising in the comments Me: lowkey feeling sorry for matpats voice at the start of the video.

[@SkyNinja6]

All I could think is like "do you need a cough drop or something my guy🤣"

[@dorajackson3042]

@@SkyNinja6 lol yeah

[@redheartsunglasses]

When people do that voice it gives me anxiety I'm like "sToP yOu'Re rUiNiNg yOuR vOiCe"

[@insertusernamehere8324]

Lol 😂

[@ding5296]

When you get a sore throat just for the video

[@superdimentiobrolyX]

Theres something else to the whole "her switching doesnt matter" metaphor. The symbolosm seems to imply that the tethered represent those who are on the "wrong side" of capitolism and materialism. She actually gets the rare oporunity to escape her shitty situation and become a part of the "good life", but in the end it means nothing, nothing is different, it doesn't matter.

[@MilesCrispTV]

And for her to escape to the "good life", it costed someone else suffering the "bad life".

[@heyyo966]

@@MilesCrispTV sounds to me Peele read a bit on Marxism.

[@dudacampos6841]

Rewatched the movie today, and a line that Gabe says caught my attention. Addy and Gabe are in their room, after the day at the beach and she tells him how she feels unlike her and shares her fears and he can only reply with "You look the same to me". So the replacement part of this theory just fits like a glove on this scene

[@cheshirecat2888]

I can’t believe matpat didn’t make a comment about the “gold” scissors they’re most likely gilded which means only coated in gold covering up a cheaper interior which also ties into the gilded age of industry where the competition and pursuit for empty wealth came from

[@raskullsshako]

Or how wealth can cut you down... gold is usually known as a symbol or wealth and prosperity, which can lead you to a lonely and miserable life.

[@raskullsshako]

Also, wealth is a part of the “American Dream” mentioned in the video.

[@simple-commentator-not-rea7345]

I wonder if there was symbolism behind Jason's "Jaws" shirt. How could that movie play into this entire theme of America having layers of superficiality? Perhaps the fact that Jaws, as good a horror movie as it was, is extreamly innacurate. Many shark experts explained how sharks don't normally attack people like this, and that the movie clearly over-embelished the entire image of sharks. They're certianly dangerous predators, but for them to be bloodthirsty, sadistic and evil? Maybe the symbolism of that shirt is how the Tethers are not the evil they're made out to be, or maybe some more bizarre message about America over-exagurating some danger as an undisputed evil that must be fought or it will destroy you.

[@radu_9626]

scissors are made out of tethered identical but mirrored pieces like the humans and the tethered

[@chiquisloverroblox4082]

I had a stroke reading that

[@His_LadyLove]

I love the points you made but I just wanted to point out you forgot one other moment. At the beginning of the movie the dad was so obsessed with winning prizes he did not even notice his daughter leave and wonder off. This show of competitiveness and desire to win stuff led to the switch happening

[@Saffron-sugar]

Chirstia Love Nice point! Absolutely well spotted.

[@JasmineJohnsonPsychicMedium]

Yes! Great analysis!

[@smartpig555119]

Notice also the game he's playing is whack-a-mole; beating subterranian creatures back into their holes

[@jackbigler4936]

smartpig555119 that’s also a god point but I don’t think mr Jordan thought that far into it

[@multitalentedlator]

Wow! I agree with your breakdown, so spot on! Thank you, for your interpretation of the scissor's representation :)

[@romystella2692]

another thing i noticed is at the beginning of the movie, when theyre listening to i got 5 on it, adelaide starts snapping her fingers to the song. however, her snapping is slightly offbeat. i think that this was one of the clues that something was 'off' with her.

[@gjugany]

I also thought it was weird that when Adelaide stabbed Red, Red dropped to the ground. But when Adelaide hit Fake Josh on the head, Fake Josh looked like he didn't feel anything. And same goes with Umbrae when she got stuck up the tree.

[@montie9421]

Red was human

[@SteveHartmanVideos]

I was wondering how she was able to find her way through the doors and underground rooms, and realized because she once lived down there.

[@uhtredofbebbanburg9568]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIbKlYCvi7KEgpI :-$

[@uhtredofbebbanburg9568]

Don't click or you'll get hacked

[@vvvv-vz5tz]

you got my mind blown 🤯

[@needacuppa1898]

@@uhtredofbebbanburg9568 but You put it there

[@Laura-Yu]

Woahh

[@kermit.-.3908]

i feel like he’s trying to say something about America because of his two movies “Get Out” and “US” as if he’s telling us to Get Out of the United States

[@annavoiselle4403]

Woahhhhh

[@sipofmemesoof9603]

ey another Kermit

[@kermit.-.3908]

SipOfMemes Oof kermit-ception

[@tamerabueid7572]

The next movie "BEFORE U DIE"

[@diamondwright5563]

Tamer Abu Eid bro that’s when you really have to slide out

[@Eres_Nyx1154]

Elisabeth Moss even said in an interview that her character Kitty was one of those women who blames her lack of fulfillment on the fact that she has a family. So things like vodka o clock and plastic surgery are the only things that give her life even a crumb of enjoyment

[@arado4858]

The clues that made me go "why didn't I see this coming?" in the plot twist: - Red (Adelaide) is clearly a real human since she's the only one who can (hardly) speak, since her larynx was damaged years ago, Adelaide (Red) didn't speak after the carnival incident, shadows can't speak, but she was able to adopt to becoming a regular person, forgetting she was a clone - Red told her son to go with beat with the music on the car, the son did good, but Red's finger snaps weren't, knowig the Tetherd are always off

[@bearsbearsbears375]

My mom made an interesting observation. In the final fight where the mom was facing off with her copy, it would cut to the flashbacks of when they were dancing ballet. The 'original' was dancing gracefully while the copy was not. In the final fight tho the one who we thought was the original was not fighting very gracefully at all. Instead it was the copy who had fast and fluid movements. I thought that was a very clever indication as to who the original really was

[@miss.behaving]

The dancing is a creative outlet. Right brain controlled & one of it's only ways to express itself (can express through any creative outlet) since right brain has no speaking ability. Corpus Collosum.🧠✂️ Look into it!

[@G17x]

Rae true😂 never thought of that

[@abigailchloe828]

The two had already swapped before she started dance classes. The parents took her to dance because she, the copy, could not speak and they wanted her to use it as a form of expression. The original was in the tunnels dancing and the copy was above on the stage. So the graceful dancer was the ungraceful fighter and the dancer in the tunnel was the one with the fluid movements during the fight. I think you guys have it swapped. Ballet is a choreographed and structured style of dance. Every single sequence or step has a name and because of this you can literally watch a ballet and write down the exact dance on a piece of paper. Having the copy be a ballet dancer and following a structure through steps that were told to her shows her lack of creativity and individualism. The original is doing a beautiful and unique version of the dance in the tunnels that shows the anger and heartbreak of being trapped within those walls. She is doing a contemporary improvised version of the dance above her and the tethered audience sees the emotion and individualism within the dance and knows that she is unique. This is why she is chosen as their leader. That is also why the original in the fight scene can move gracefully within the fight. She can think independently and creatively. The copy stumbles and struggles because she needs to be told what to do and needs a choreographed version to be graceful. The original can improvise the copy can not.

[@Crick1952]

@@abigailchloe828 Yeah this is a much better analysis. I was trying to understand the dancing scene and how it related with the fight

[@estebanco6937]

@@abigailchloe828 mmm this is the best yt comment i've seen in my entire life, thank you.

[@eiounagata]

The scissors represent two symmetrical sides coming together to divide

[@sophiemae4413]

You my friend, Are a genius

[@Jimbo893]

D E E P

[@sunitamosesesq]

The scissors are also a mirror reflection - each side is the reverse of the other; the same but not exactly identical.

[@darsh7911]

Sunita Moses you're pushing it

[@x_sofetch_x8868]

O k That is deep

[@mattmahler9756]

I love how Kitty refers to her plastic surgery as just "an itsy bitsy thing." Literally referring to the song being whistled in the fun house, manifesting the American nightmare.

[@johnathonmathis2340]

I guessed the twist when I noticed Adelaide clone was the only one who could talk. And it really sunk in when 'Real' Adelaide killed the twin. She stabbed her with the scissors and was grunting like the other clones until she seen her son and looked like she had to remember to be normal. Then when she just got out of the car to make sure the daughter clone was dead the way she was sushing her.

[@ramama333]

My throat hurt just listening to that intro-

[@_adrick_]

Lol

[@ladlethepanspoon4537]

Same

[@bryantz162]

RamonaRilla So true

[@nickharlow4464]

I didn’t appreciate the intro at all - but it was effective and that’s the goal so GG

[@aeschylus7641]

How though?

[@Registered_Simp]

"That's why it's called the American dream. Because you have to be asleep to believe it" - George Carlin

[@marley7868]

-a rich guy who makes his money in the most hypocritical way with that quote

[@Registered_Simp]

@@marley7868 So the mere fact that he made allot of money off of good comedy makes him a hypocrite... What a brain you have...

[@sydssolanumsamsys]

noice

[@coal1818]

@@marley7868 look, I'm all for eating the rich, but at least George Carlin did something to earn it. People like Jeff Bezos did nothing to earn their money, the only thing people like him do is exploit people. Eat the rich, yeah, but we need to know who we're eating before we do it.

[@marley7868]

@@coal1818 and that makes it hypocritical cause he earned it in the way is insulting so still bullshit

[@Eres_Nyx1154]

I definitely agree with what Matt said about Gabe using luxuries solve his problems. But in a typical home invasion, the assumption is that the thieves are there for your material items, so he's not totally wrong to offer up his valuables.

[@pragyasingh2297]

When I was 17, I had an existential crisis listening to the part of Afraid by the Neighborhood that goes "when I wake up I'm afraid somebody else might take my place" and at the end of Us, I fell back again into that existential crisis: will anyone ever truly know the real us?

[@ThatGuyThai]

No one has answered you in 4 months. They may never get to know all the dimensions of you, but they can still piece together the bigger piece of the puzzle. You just have to give them enough pieces.

[@jake0098]

Why do I feel like matpat could be an English teacher

[@Yeeishaw]

Jake Ramsey he could be any teacher he's so smart lmao

[@moohahuh5119]

He'd be horrible, he's insanely arrogant and short sighted.

[@someoneawesome8717]

@@moohahuh5119 his online persona is, offline he's a sweethearted dork. I met him at a con and we got pizza

[@lavosdream4928]

why do i feel like feeling like?

[@PawsBoff]

@Aquaa that's what I was going to say so I'll just agree xD

[@ramezrazi7728]

It's America, It's us. Me, an Australian: Well yes but actually no

[@far0145]

Oh, hi neighbor!

[@neocricket9300]

How do you live upside down

[@luc1ddr34mz]

Me, a french boi: Would you like a croissant?

[@XanderScheyltjens]

me from Belgium: wow America sounds like a real shithole

[@crusader2965]

kill me

[@XItaSasux4ever12]

A few years ago, while in college, I wrote a paper explaining that the tethered represented the unconscious thoughts and desires of the human mind that were being suppressed by the conscious mind. My three biggest examples were Gab and Aberham disagreeing over material desires, how Red and Abeline differ from how they treat their children plus the way Pluto and Jason are the only two copies that can directly connect with each other to influence their behaviors. Personally, I really loved the film overall and was happy that my professor showed us this movie in class. :D

[@Max-cu6bw]

After reading all the comments and watching the video, uncovering all these hidden symbols and ideas it's amazing to see what Jordan Peele was able to come up with with so many different outlooks and clues to things. Being a director like this is not easy and this movie really shows it.

[@afrikasmith1049]

"It's called the American Dream because you have to be asleep to believe it." I don't remember the name of this person that said this, but I'm sure he would have liked this movie if he saw it with this video's perspective.

[@DarkSideOfTheBrightSide]

George Carlin

[@andreingramakadjscrewrip7372]

@Derek Ni Tell us how

[@alexanderpadilla1449]

@Derek Ni I don't think it's a joke

[@boneman5569]

Andre Ingram aka DJ Screw RIP lol “tell me why~~”

[@ellielulu6750]

Milk Calcium ain’t nothing but a heartache

[@Mitchewith2ls]

"No one could tell the difference" *ignores therapy sessions when parents knew something was up*

[@gozinta82]

Like the part where her father does the thing with her hair and she doesn't react.

[@KC-xg7gs]

At the time,all the parents thought was wrong was that something either spooked her or something bad was -nearly- done to her. They never thought that she had been replaced.

[@josephclegg3562]

Who knew?

[@skylarblue1246]

Mitch Price They still didn’t know that she wasn’t her.

[@ntslots5215]

She seems to have forgotten also.she didn't realize it until she was older

[@silbug]

Great breakdown! I do have to mention that you say NO one could tell the difference, but her mom could tell a difference. She knew that Adelaide was different. She just didn't know it was a clone of Adelaide. Her father was dismissive of her mom and wanted to just forget that his daughter went missing. There is a theme in the movie of men not listening to women as well. Adelaide's husband for instance. And the Tyler's marriage isn't great either, due to what seems like a self absorbed husband.

[@HuongMai-we2lw]

The word “Thỏ” in the daughter’s shirt means “rabbit” in Vietnamese 😱

[@MagicalGirlFia]

It’s America Us Us=U.S It literally says what it was about My brain exploded

[@HiMynamesNece]

Yeah cause when the man said what are you she says we are Americans

[@BDLabs2]

*THIS IS AMERICA...* _don’t catch you slippin’ now_

[@annebird8784]

Think about it... first he makes Get Out, now Us...trippy lol

[@holychalupas5567]

Anne Bird Get Out of the US 🤯

[@trashinternetmusician]

You goddamn genius

[@luis5029]

I never thought Jordan Peele, a comedian who I watched on Comedy Centrals Key and Peele, would have such a dark, twisted, but deep mind. Get out was deep, but Us dragged me to the core. Can’t wait to see what comes next

[@magestytalksalot7050]

They

[@3amDayDreamer]

He actually showed this side of his character in Key and Peele. After watching these movies, watch some of their skits. Some are pretty dark and twisted.

[@maddamalora3969]

Often times comedians suffer from depression.

[@PawsBoff]

@@3amDayDreamer Yeh, they were deep and the best

[@anarizmoore]

For me it was the exact opposite...if you watch Key and Peele they touched on race and some social topics with very deep undertones...🤔😊

[@the-engneer]

One of my favorite thriller's of all time! That orchestral rendition of "I Got Five On It" was amazing, and unexpected

[@-hayleymc_is_tired-5038]

You can also notice some anti social behaviours in her children. Her daughter is always on her phone and her son hides around the house and wears a mask. The beach scene really shows it. Both kids are on their own

[@nerd9777]

I think that Jason wasn’t OK with his mother being a tethered, I think he was just thinking “Mom, you’re... suspicious. I’m gonna keep an eye on you”.

[@dani.alguera]

Mum kinda sus ngl

[@staticdoggoe34rd]

@@dani.alguera 😂

[@BlujiBerries]

@@dani.alguera im voting mom, she’s SUPER sus 🙄

[@awesomecat42]

Why would he be scared though? Since she switched when she was a child, that means that she's his real mom, the only version he ever knew until the events of the movie. To her family, she is the real one.

[@Kagimine]

@@awesomecat42 I mean she kidnapped and dragged a child underground and took her place. Everything about the tethered is unsettling and her sanity and normality seems like an incredibly thin veneer over something dark and unhinged

[@tomemeornottomeme1864]

The Thriller T-Shirt that had a weird significance for about a minute in the movie. At the end of Thriller's music video, it's not really Michael Jackson; it's his evil version.

[@MultiFabar]

To Meme or Not To Meme wow! Good catch!

[@tomemeornottomeme1864]

@@MultiFabar Thanks, but it was someone else's comment that sparked the idea in my head.

[@robertjohansson5313]

Which version of MJ was the evil one again?

[@tomemeornottomeme1864]

@@robertjohansson5313 The one at the end, his 'Thriller' version. It shows him with the yellow eyes at the end.

[@theentrepreneurofemos]

HOLY JEEZ, YOU'RE A GENIUS

[@granpaking7570]

And another thing about that movie is why that family was so dark. On weak, the father was the weakest one.

[@ceoofbananaco.9960]

0:12 man needs a cough drop or something

[@loudy12]

Get out was more about race, US is more about privilege, politics & freedom/free will

[@Castillo-hi3qk]

Lil Loudy, yes indeed

[@BDLabs2]

THIS IS AMERICA

[@hipphopp69yearsago34]

He should make a scary movie about pro life and pro choice next

[@lady4191]

Elaborate on that.

[@thepotatoking2504]

...... Hahaha free will hahahaha freedom hahahaaaa

[@illiteratemochi4150]

MatPat: “rabbits have no purpose and are useless.” Me: *gasps and looks at my adorable pet rabbit* Wow so rude Mat.

[@jackpadz6079]

Aesthetic.

[@22mbz]

Rabbits get eaten in ud

[@areyoufriendly]

Did it look back at you with its sociopathic eyes?

[@chocomuffin7433]

_Minecraft rabbit stew intensifies_

[@mr.burnham7687]

Ah yes, and the creature's entire value to you is that it's adorable. In other words, it's something completely superficial and ultimately pointless, wow, it's like you never even watched the video; after all: "everything will be the same as it was before".

[@MonsterPrincessLala]

Honestly, I was so excited for US and then the narration at beginning and end killed it for me. It never occurred to me that that was intentional too move our attention away from the minor themes to try and force us to think deeper - which admittedly is the opposite of what narration generally does (turning tropes on their head though is clearly Mr Peele's brand)

[@Grande_Mocha_From_Starbucks]

I remember the hands across America on another explanation, and it’s an amazing reference but they definitely gave themselves away with that first odd line, and yet it’s amazing how you can dig into the harder parts with such ease specifically the underground tunnels and all I have to say is keep it up

[@thejiddy]

One of my teacher once said "America is like a sinking ship yet people line up to buy the tickets"

[@Gentlemenpickleesq.]

@@Meta.noia_art mostly what the human experience is in a nutshell. Imagining something is always better than the reality of having it. America Rome Ancient Eygpt Persian empire just about any and every human civilization has one thing in common humans. People who complain about violence in america dont see the rising acid attacks in the uk or the gays being thrown off roofs or stoned in sadi arabia. High suicide rates? Look at asian countries or really anywhere else. There is a reason why humans are considered the most evil creature on earth. We are and always will be the architects of our own destruction.

[@arguedcorgi8628]

That must be one long sinking ship

[@rexan6573]

America suffers in union but thrives toward justice and human rights. Our country is a magical place. Our people? Not exactly..

[@mikimiyazaki]

Your teachers probably a Marxist piece of shit, ungrateful asshole who's directly led young impressionable kids to become nihilistic.

[@siporahoke6388]

Nathan Hatter Not to mention, we have the highest mortality rates.

[@pain7434]

"it's America,it's us" I'm canadian

[@klohtoo5792]

I'm Asian

[@klohtoo5792]

Yeah

[@carotube]

i'm lesbian

[@carotube]

@@pain7434 no it was a reference from a vine lol

[@carotube]

@@pain7434 wdym you don't know this one?

[@kiss4jam]

Thank you for that break down it was pretty awesome. I knew there was more to the movie that I was missing so this helped a lot.

[@DabaronDaVinci]

I dont like horror movies (I am to much of a baby) but I watched this with a group of friends and enjoyed it (when I wasn't scared) we ended up talking about the story and giving our own theories at the end!

[@giboit.]

The tunnel, the rabbits. Alice in wonderland.

[@nonsomokwuah]

I thought I was the only one that got that reference

[@shinydragonsrider9313]

No

[@niamhmcelligott7444]

And now I’m going to go move to mars. This theory can be shoved in with anabel and every other horror movie

[@Hanawiess]

totally thought of that too when I saw the money

[@marmight739]

Could also be refering to 'of mice and men'

[@gritpoker]

The title "US" means United States... It all makes sense now!

[@vivalanina]

yes, but another meaning, "Us" is also plural, implying together and more than one

[@SFgamer]

You both have a point here.

[@nightfeathery1591]

You all are blowing my mind.

[@allthingsanime7413]

legit when i saw the trailer and it showed the title i thought it said U.S

[@nicholasrose2205]

I saw pus at first but then again I'm a very weird 14 year old

[@jaz2effingayson]

The intro😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 *Clear edit* This is by far the best breakdown or watched and I’ve watched a lot! Literally way too many lol and I love how you said nothing anyone else said, a completely different outlook. Love this channel and definitely hit the Sub🔥

[@marioluigi3122]

You know, this movie and the video made me think back to my grade 12 English class; specifically the story “Of Men and Mice”; the story that George consistently tells Lennie a bedtime story which is their “American Dream” and that leads to Lennie being killed by George. Now, this video made me remember that story. Thanks, Matpat.

[@Kiloburn]

And specifically asks him to "tell him about the rabbits"

[@l.5051]

You didn't said "hey it's just a film theory" which means..... IT'S TRUE

[@JonathanGarcia-ry6hk]

😱

[@digitalb4th435]

i would like the comment but its at 69 and i dont want to ruin it

[@actuallyaboutthat...2522]

@@digitalb4th435 -_-

[@angelitastevenson834]

Well pretty much cause the symbols are obvious as you see them numerous times in the movie not as a hidden easter egg.

[@fauzanaziz6365]

@@actuallyaboutthat...2522 he's young, that's normal for them.

[@1tonofclay]

Us is the film version of This Is America. Dont tell me that isn't accurate.

[@Cj2fresh]

AXioS TraLLö it isn’t accurate

[@SubscribersWithoutAnyVid-kb5pc]

@@Cj2fresh you aren't accurate

[@cosmicturban2797]

Not enough "guns in my area" in the movie.

[@kyotheman69]

@@Cj2fresh its capitalism in nutshell, and stupid people can't survive without material wealth

[@emarythomp]

You’re a fucking dumbass

[@fsfs555]

I guess the bigger message here was lost on me since I preferred to focus on technical stuff, such as: It's completely improbable for the tethered to be force-bred at the exact same time and produce the exact same offspring as their surface counterparts; how did original Adelaide get free of the handcuffs; why in her many years did original Adelaide not escape the tunnels; how are tethered bound/controlled by the originals to do things like pretend to ride a roller coaster but not be kept from killing the originals or to be compelled to march backward into a fire; where'd they get the materials to make their snazzy red suits or food for their rabbit farm; etc.

[@drnstjhn]

yeah youre wondering about rly silly things like whered they get clothing materials. doesnt even seem like youre trying to watch it for entertainment, but to just ask irrelevant questions

[@LilC1deep]

If it's too much for suspension of disbelief to ignore, then it is not irrelevant.

[@robertlockwood3277]

The first 3 minutes of this video were one of the most concise and effective explanations of any movie I’ve ever heard. I walked out thinking I got and knowing I didn’t. Fantastic work.

[@sevenmillionhobbies7840]

Other people's theory: "Clones are people" Matpat's theory: "United States Capitalism Shallow American Dream" Viewers: *MINDBLOWN*

[@XinBiDe]

Yeah he stole this theory part and parcel from Bloody Disgusting who did a much better job explaining it.

[@adalia1975]

@@XinBiDe do yoy hate Matpat?

[@tony_5156]

Capitalism vs shitty destructive radical governments

[@tony_5156]

Hehe gottem

[@menghao737]

@@XinBiDe Oh yeah? Link?

[@harrissyed1603]

In all fairness, the tethers were the victims to imagine being stuck underground your whole life linked to another who enjoys life while they suffer

[@introverthoney8876]

@Harris Syed, Yes, they were. Sadly, they went after people who had no idea they even existed.

[@itsPlasma06]

You stop being the victim once you friggin murder an entire nation who didn't even know you existed in the first place

[@nanoteal3773]

@@itsPlasma06 the real villain was united states

[@itsPlasma06]

@@nanoteal3773 The government, yeah. The civilians didn't deserve to suffer for that

[@nanoteal3773]

@@itsPlasma06 they share a bit of the blame though by doing it unconciously

[@Lulu-mj2fi]

You're awesome! Very nice breakdown and I love how unbiased you are

[@zoramontague13]

Favorite part of watching this movie was figuring out that the teenage daughter who is the same age as me literally has the same name of me. That was the scariest part of this film lol.

[@historynerd205]

Y'know, I just realised that Umbrae's name is also symbolic - it's Latin for "shadows". How I couldn't tell before I don't know 😂

[@justanamezain3602]

Wait... UMBREON

[@hijabiart8653]

Well no, that’d be obumbratio because of grammar and declensions, but it’s still the same idea and concept

[@mercilesslymugentenshin8651]

YAS I'm so glad someone else picked up on that!

[@anonymousphantom9644]

And Pluto is a forgotten planet. Both Umbrae and Pluto have names that mean "shadows" and "forgotten".

[@martinalfaro4427]

@Markdiepie Roman* the Greek version of Pluto was Hades

[@ryann6108]

I was hoping to find out why the tethered boy was obsessed with fire. I also thought it was interesting how Addy seemed to have a sense of compassion for the death of the tethered children but not her clone.

[@sweet813one]

Cause shes a tethered as well

[@Jayloke]

The comment above explained the second question For the first one, you just have to look at his burned face, or think of the fact that Jason is obsessed with the lighter

[@maricopa_today8619]

His name is Pluto, the furthest planet from the sun so it's kinda in darkness, also Pluto is the Greek (I think) god of the underground so away from the sun. So it's obvious that he would he attracted to the sun and light because he's been deprived of it

[@treepteepandey1571]

@@maricopa_today8619 wow that's intresting

[@venus_918]

@@maricopa_today8619 Pluto is roman but other than that your point makes total sense (not trying to be rude I get them mixed up too)

[@Kaden10]

The first clue that the tethered Adelaide was the real one was when she got choked in the beginning of the movie, and when she comes back her voice sounds like her vocal chords are in a vice from the choking.

[@xKarenWalkerx]

This episode of film theory should have been submitted for Streamy consideration - This is some of your best work!!!

[@lemonade3274]

Matpat: some smart solution to a films plot. Writer of the movie he's talking about: why didn't I think of that.

[@elonnamcpeters674]

Peeles movies are wayyyyyy to complex for him to be dumbfounded by a KZbinr like matpat

[@seditt5146]

@@elonnamcpeters674 Lol... sooo because he does YT videos matpat is dumb or something. I'd venture to guess he is much more intelligent then Peele dude.

[@hmulford3851]

Lmao Peele definitely thought of all this. MatPat even points out how obvious some of this stuff is. Peele is a master at selling subtext, always has been since the K&P days.

[@Illier1]

Peele definitely intended for it to be shown like this. His movies in his own words revolve around "social demons" as he puts it. And Us was pretty much the embodiment of that statement.

[@spongebobroundpants4378]

@@elonnamcpeters674 lmao shut up bitch

[@deajiven6159]

I’ve never watched ‘Us’ Never wanted to watch ‘Us’ I have never heard of ‘Us’, I’m gonna watch ‘Us’

[@angelepps9684]

Me

[@jsdotigboigamer]

Watch Us do what? 🤔

[@catbug3342]

I saw us i have nightmares now YAY!!!!!..yay........................

[@snarledsapphire4816]

I am way to 😱 to watch

[@deajiven6159]

(Pusheen fan!!!! I’m bad at drawing at least to me) me in like two days

[@sagingmilk]

Even the surface level video explanation i watched of this made this movie whole thing more ironic. They just explained the basics of how the main characters were switched and thats it. Loved this video matt!

[@clangnk3504]

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I THOUGHT ABOUT THE MOVIE WHEN I SAW IT. When yoy focus on Jodan's comedy, he is actually really good at depicting the TV "American Dream"

[@anarizmoore]

The way Jordan Peele Incorporated "I got five on it" in this movie's still scares me to this day.

[@mistreviews]

And my wife pointed out the depth behind that song in the movie: It's a song about two guys splitting the cost of a bag of weed, like the tethered and the originals splitting the cost for something that equates to a negative addiction: The American Dream.

[@anarizmoore]

@@mistreviews WOW!!! My mind just exploded! 🤯🤯🤯 Makes sense...I got 5 on it...but the fact that you pointed it out let's me further know the brilliance of Jordan Peele's mind!

[@sakurafan771]

They also killed 5 people 10:26 So I got a 5 on it.

[@andylines8040]

The message they sent wasn’t the American dream is fake it was be great full for what you have

[@WynneL]

@@andylines8040 ...no. Check your privilege.

[@callalily0004]

I watched this on my TV and my cat kept trying to attack Matpat's face during the intro 😂

[@DivineMind222]

I wanted to attack his face too. Cringe af.

[@taetm8868]

@@DivineMind222 lol

[@shinomichan5782]

I mean your cat was trying to probably save you from the scary man talking to you via computer screen. Even cats know about all the shit going on y'know?

[@wadethepaladin8949]

Im not gonna ruin that likes

[@Jetstream_Sam_]

Why does your comment have 666 likes

[@ChaoticStar420]

I know I'm late (again) but gosh diddly darn straight to the soul piece of our society as a whole. Just when I thought you were awesome, you became absolutely amazing-

[@hobofredjr.5998]

Keep going map pat I love your content and your definitely my favourite youtuber

[@RealLukeWilson]

The idea of “tethers” and scissors dates way back to Greek mythology, too. For one thing, the Greeks believed there were three Fates who knit the fabric of our lives, and once they snip the final thread, our lives are over. For another, the Greeks believed that we’re all connected to our soulmate-with whom we literally share a soul-by invisible red strings tied from our pinkies to theirs. So the tethered are the other half of the above-grounders’ souls who are trying to kill their counterparts. This movie is just fantastically layered.

[@ponyenjoyer9257]

That is so cool

[@SpaceGamers1114]

The red string of fate mythology actually stems from Chinese mythology, not Greek, but that's still a very interesting point!

[@LadyMythos315]

I knew about the fates but not the red string that cool

[@gbs_1]

Like Hercules?

[@mr.kenway4554]

The Red String part is about Chinese mythology. Specifically, it signifies the bond between two people, primarily the love kind. Deities tie these onto our pinkies, much like cupids (Minus being passive aggressive on shooting us) and they also have scissors to cut them should the bond ends (Unlikely unless divine intervention)

[@dantechick]

Seems like a lot of Alice in Wonderland symbols too, rabbits, mirrors. Or is that just me?

[@InkanSpider]

@Johnny Fry I think they mean the real people and their copies are so similar on the outside they are mirror reflection of each other

[@colette8730]

@Johnny Fry could symbolise all the doors in that particular room

[@davidirimia6463]

And tie "Wonderland" to "America"

[@dudacampos6841]

But I feel like Alice is much more a coming-of-age story than one about being superficial (and all the other themes presented in the video). I don't know how you would tie those two together. But if you can, I'm curious to know how =)

[@brentrichardsen7439]

in the final scene right before the battle someone said "we all went mad down here"

[@mikaelabailey423]

This gave me something else to consider on my next watch through. This theory was fun to follow along with. I didn't see things that way on my first view, however, I enjoyed going along with your ideas and seeing this movie in a different light.

[@chesswill9034]

I love the intro cuz. I’ve been watching Us stories for some reason lately. 👍👍👍🔥🔥🔥

[@yuefeiredriver]

I can't imagine how MatPat's throat would feel like after the intro. I wanna drink water.

[@thursdayelenagomez8310]

Water, lozenges, and hot tea. It made my throat hurt.

[@juliusfreeman3940]

The reason the tethered used scissors is because scissors have two parts, kind of like how each family member has two parts

[@jakobwilliamzachariassen2640]

And both parts are connected and can’t function without the other. Or it could be said that their major effect happens when both sides meet.

[@awesomegaymer5786]

scissors cut just as good when taken apart

[@jakobwilliamzachariassen2640]

bekah saxon wel it’s not like the others in the movie actually stop functioning after the opposite dies. But it could be said that the optimal effect, in this case cutting, happens when the meet each other.

[@w0rm.-.311]

Woah that just blew my mind

[@maddogkilla1]

Why did they use the song I got 5 on it?

[@krysval3073]

mat pat you look very deep into things and im glad you do i love film theory

[@biljam972]

This is the best explanation of movie "Us" I have seen! I can see now hundreds of symbols in the movie, and how brilliant it actually is. But, there is an indication of the final twist: "Tethered" Adelaide is the only one from underground people who can talk. Others never ever speak. That made me think of the switch early in the movie.

[@JithinJacob333]

One small hitch: Gabe didn't kill Josh's Tethered with the flare gun; he missed. He killed him in a fight off screen.

[@moosemafia1659]

Flare gun disoriented Sorta like a flash bang /smoke grenade Idk I feel as though it had an effect

[@mimsycookiiess]

Jithin Jacob true

[@alfonzog6327]

Absolutely dull machete

[@jordanjenkins3404]

@ AlfonzoG AUS What would be the golden chainsaw then?

[@tawdryhepburn4686]

The failed flare gun is another example of the hollow dream metaphor. It looks like a weapon but it fails to work like one. It’s also another “keeping up with the joneses” object discussed at the beach. It fits nicely.

[@themologies]

IT'S AMERICA, IT'S US me: *sips kopiko blanca in filipino*

[@sydssolanumsamsys]

nice name

[@themologies]

@@sydssolanumsamsys aight

[@Alonzi.]

*sips tea in British* another man of culture

[@Alonzi.]

@*dee god of da feesh* nice to see you,how many sugars?

[@Alonzi.]

@*dee god of da feesh* right then , sit back and enjoy the travesty over the Atlantic

[@alexanderantonov1358]

I am not gonna lie, this is my favorite Film Theory video ever. What you say are facts!

[@Rocknight80]

The message I take from Jordan Peele's movie is a possible way to have a happy life if i make the right conscientiousness, and competent actions and decisions via education and luck. Actions that also impact my environment around me. I am in control. And that's a pretty vague statement and option i've just formed, but i like it, and i'm going to give it a go. One thing I need to get more educated on is communication, and timing by the looks of the date this was released. Late to the party. Time is of the essence it seems. Thank you to the guy who created this film, and the guy who made this vid :)

[@fecaplky]

She was also wearing a MJ Thriller shirt which if you saw the music video shows at the end that MJ was one of the monster that they were originally running from

[@Denterify2]

@Bilbo Ballbag simply watch the Thriller Music Video to the end :D

[@tomboyinrecovery]

😵Oh Shittt Didnt Even Think Of That, Lol That Music Video was Terrifying When I Was Younger

[@jacklancaster9496]

I think we all should rematch the ending and pay close attention 🤔

[@yahhkatiyah]

Fecap Gaming OH SHIT

[@jacklancaster9496]

It’s probably a sign that Jordan peele making a connection to get out🤔 i mean think about it...I think the girl that’s chained up and wearing the hand across america is the original girl. So maybe there’s three Adelaide??

[@DanielHiemstra]

"Giving the appearance of having everything you want..." This is literally what people do on Instagram and other social media.

[@vihaanle3010]

I mean u wouldn’t post the bad stuff

[@Lishamisha22]

Finally got to enjoy this movie. The level of creepiness is through the roof with this film. Seeing the twist at the end made me go back through various scenes to see what I had overlooked of the true Tether that had stolen the life of a young girl as a young girl! That she tried so hard to keep her down there in her place and fought tooth and nail to keep her new place, even despite now being surrounded by the tethers she had left behind. It does make me wonder, how can she now enjoy her life when almost everyone is replaced with tethers ?

[@m3rcurywh0r36]

I used that Howard information part in my project. I type this as I’m cramming to do it because it’s due tomorrow.

[@paris6807]

Also!!! In the ballet scene they’re dancing to pa de deux (my favourite from Tchaikovsky btw), and a pas de deux is a dance in which two dancers perform! And both Adelaide’s danced to it!! Aaaa I love symbolism

[@shadowstorm125]

Isn't it about a black swan and a white swan? It's light and dark. Like the movie... 🤔

[@paris6807]

@@shadowstorm125 that two, I was thinking more about the literal meaning of the name. But when you think about it neither of the are light or good, both characters are dark

[@amberlynn6141]

I didn't even know that, but I loved that scene! Seeing how one was dancing perfectly in time, and the other was chaotic and unsure of what moves to do, but entirely confident in what she was doing.

[@n1qht583]

In french pas de deux means not the two

[@ighvteluna8170]

Am I the only person who never heard of “us” til danplan just made a game about it?

[@gabrielespano3393]

Lmao no

[@crusader1706]

Nope

[@beansoup7812]

No

[@carmelleisola2024]

Same here lmao

[@m0llykah848]

Hah !!! Me

[@siberianhusky8183]

I really like you pointing out the economic situation under Reagan. I know the eating away middle class stuff before, but did not link this film to Reagan/consumption that much. There were already clone adults in 86, and somewhere a video tape about moon expedition showed up, so I assumed this whole thing started in the 60s. I made more Cold War connections tho.

[@Nekophy_]

Rewatching this video reminded me of something, not too long after I first watched this video my parents watched ‘us’ for the first time. And after the movie the were asking questions and talking to each other about what it all meant. So I repeated this theory to them, and they were both like ‘yeah! That’s it!’ And then they started praising me for being smart. For once my random KZbin knowledge got me praised, thanks matpat.

[@eddington111]

2:55 when she says "We are Americans." I believe she is referring to the fact that *SPOILER ALERT* When Red (the real Adaeline) was a kid she saw the "Join Hands Across America" ad and made that the idea of what life was like. Which is also the same reason they all wear red suits. And a single fingerless glove (from Thriller) which she watched as a kid.

[@gggfightklub8449]

But mj didn’t wear fingerless gloves during thriller

[@eddington111]

Shamona Fightklub u get the point

[@uncleenzo7667]

its pretty obvious

[@actuallyaboutthat...2522]

No

[@introverthoney8876]

The irony is that the 1986 version of HAA was a joke, really. The real Addy’s version was a success.

[@randomchannel3609]

Film theory idea can a young Gaston actually eat four dozen eggs and survive

[@baconvideo8413]

random Channel 360 Not without contracting Salmonella.

[@kelllee7647]

I believe he was strong enough to circulate his blood past cholesterol blockage...

[@Gross126]

And avidin

[@johnny5172]

random Channel 360 of course he could. He’s roughly the size of a *BAAAAAAAAAAAARGE*

[@jamievania7168]

*Every morning* to help him get *large*

[@ThEASbO]

Kudos Mat. This one was eye opening

[@nook960]

wow i love this analysis so much. i brushed this movie off as shallow because of the twist, i thought it was just aiming for cheap shock value. its good to get reminded to take another look