Introduction
The Film Theorists is a YouTube channel that, as the name suggests, discusses various theories about movies. In this case, the video essay is concerned with the 2019 horror film “Us” directed by Jordan Peele. The video argues that the central theme throughout the film is that of the failed American dream. By pointing out metaphors, symbols, dialogues, and details in various scenes, The Film Theorists make a convincing argument about the film’s deeper meaning.
Short Summary of the Film
The film is a story of Adelaide Wilson and her family visiting her childhood summer house by the beach. There they encounter the clones that attempt to kill them, which turns out to be a part of a more significant movement. As a child, Adelaide wandered into a Hall of Mirrors at a beachfront amusement park and met her copy, who attacked Addy and replaced her in her life. This twist, which becomes evident at the very end of the movie, allows the viewers to recognize the double meanings of scenes and dialogues. As explained at the end, the Tethered, or “the Americans,” as Addy’s copy referred to them, were created as a part of an experiment designed to control the American people. When the experiment failed, the soul-less shadows were forced to live in the underground tunnels. However, when real Adelaide was kidnapped and forced to stay underground by her shadow, she started planning a revolution of the Tethered. Her plan was inspired by the last social movement she saw on the surface, Hands Across America.
How the Author of the Video Essay Structures and Develops Their Argument
In the YouTube video essay discussing the hidden metaphors of “Us,” The Film Theorists argue that Peele’s objective is to show that materialism and shallowness have become integral to America. According to the video, the sad truth Peele is trying to convey is that there is no substance to the American dream. The message of “Us” is that what people are striving for is not a perfect or happy life but the appearance of one, claims The Film Theorists.
The YouTube channel uses a variety of tactics to pose an engaging and convincing argument. First, the narrator draws the attention of the audience by simulating the atmosphere of the movie. This beginning is effective as it sets the mood for the rest of the video, helping the viewers immerse themselves into the film environment. It then structures the argument by beginning with the broad general themes of the movie and later narrowing it down to specific examples. About two minutes into the video, the narrator introduces the claim that the film is really about the “failure of the American dream.” Immediately after proposing this theme, the video moves on to examples from the movie, strengthening the point.
Throughout the video essay, the narrator continuously circles back to the original main theme while proposing additional arguments that support it. Furthermore, he uses real-life history facts, such as the 1986 Hands Across America movement, the Historically Black Colleges, and Black Flag, to support his views on the movie. The culmination of the argument comes around 14 minutes into the video, with the narrator revealing that the most prominent metaphor for this illusionary American living is Adelaide herself. However, the supporting arguments continue after the narrator exposes this point, allowing the viewers to deliberate the new information.
What Evidence From Us They Use to Support Their Argument
The Film Theorists cleverly use the footage from the movie to support their claims. The overarching idea of the hollow nature of America is presented through the tunnel system underneath the surface. The video talks about the importance of this metaphor when supporting the claim that America ” literally” has “nothing under the surface.” Another example from the film the narrator uses to support his argument is the reoccurring symbolism of the materialistic nature of the upper-middle class. He points out the use of a baseball bat, a golf club, a new boat, and a new car as the murder weapons, suggesting that the things people think will make them happy are actually what is killing them.
Furthermore, he mentions the dissatisfaction all of the characters seem to feel about their seemingly perfect lives. This supports the claim that Peele is trying to show the audience how futile and pointless materialistic living is. This argument is supported further by the fact that possessions fail to protect the family – for example, the video narrator points out that the smart Ophelia speaker does not call the police when needed and causes more deaths.
The Extent to Which You Find the Video-Essay Author’s Overall Argument Convincing, and Why
Although it is difficult to know what exactly the director or screenwriter of a film intended, the many theories that arise must have evidence to support them. In this case, the video’s narrator introduces a plausible argument, which makes links between reality and the film metaphors and highlights the film’s social agenda. I found the argument convincing, thanks to the many supporting examples from the original film and history. Furthermore, the essay format was incredibly accessible and easy to understand, facilitating the understanding of arguments.
Works Cited
“Film Theory: What is Us Really About?” YouTube, uploaded by The Film Theorist, 2019.
Us. Directed by Jordan Peele, performances by Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Tim Heidecker, and Elizabeth Moss, Universal Pictures, Monkeypaw Productions, 2019.