Fans Share Compelling Theories for Jordan Peele's Horror Film 'Us'

Theories flooded social media following the release of the film's first trailer.

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It was a blessed day for movie buffs. 

On Christmas morning, Universal unleashed the first official trailer for Us, Jordan Peele's much-anticipated follow-up to Get Out, and social media has been abuzz ever since. The two-and-a-half-minute preview centers on a black family whose summer vacation takes a terrifying turn. The parents, played by Black Panther stars Lupita Nyong'o and Winston Duke, must protect their children from The Tethered—the family's sinister doppelgängers. 

"I think the main idea that went into writing this film is that we're our own worst enemy, and that idea created this monster, The Tethered," Peele told EW. "I wanted to forge this new mythology that explored our duality and the duality of the characters."

Judging by Peele's previous horror flick—the aforementioned Get OutUs will deliver plenty of plot twists and layers upon layers of metaphor. The newly released trailer was peppered with small Easter eggs that have already generated countless theories about the film's mysterious plot. Some of these theories are supported by the mother's off-beat finger snaps, the son's gruesome burn injuries, the mysterious third child, the rabbit-filled hallway, and the already-iconic use of Luniz's "I Got 5 On It."

Because there are so many solid hypotheses floating around on social media, we've decided to assemble a list of what we believe to be some of the most intriguing. You can check out the theories below.

Us hits theaters on March 15, 2019. 

My family and I are already cooking up #Us theories. My dad and sister suggested the boy might be a link between the families. I corroborated this with the fact that the Dopple-boy has his mouth sealed (speak no evil?), and the real boy was the first to find one of Them. pic.twitter.com/OWLFdvuBb5

— Justin (parody) (@_winley_) December 25, 2018

Here's my guess for #UsMovie's plot: mom's estranged twin sister experimented with cloning to try to replicate/steal what she sees as her twin's "perfect life". Clones are "tethered" to originals via a twin connection type effect.

— Alexandra Erin | alexandraerin@peoplemaking.games (@AlexandraErin) December 25, 2018

I want to throw this theory out there now: Lupita being off-beat when she was trying to get the son on beat is probably on purpose. I bet you it’s going to be a significant plot detail/twist....favorite this.

— Professor Storm. 💋🌪 (@hi_im_storm) December 25, 2018

So I’m calling the movie now
Lupita used to drive reckless and got into a fiery car accident. Killed the little girl was was the twin of the little boy. That’s why she isn’t driving in the trailer. Also why her doppelgänger has scorched eyebrows and explains burnt boy
#UsMovie

— DONT BUY MADDEN 23 (@CollectiveMindP) December 25, 2018

I Got 5 on It is a song about going half on something to get a whole something so maybe the evil family is like the embodiment of the worst aspects of the good family being materialized or some shit like that. The weed be letting you know.......evil lurks

— 🦦✨America Is Musty✨🦦 (@DragonflyJonez) December 25, 2018

My #UsMovie theory: there’s a 5th family member who died that will be the most elusive/hardest to kill until the mother confronts the loss. Hence, I’ve got 5 On It.

— $carlet (@ScarletEstelle) December 25, 2018

The doppelgängers are the physical manifestation of having to supress their real selves in the workplace, school, etc.

Suppressing anger over all of the microaggressions in day-to-day life took the form of their clones #UsMovie

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) December 25, 2018

About those white rabbits... #UsMovie pic.twitter.com/0Er5iv4f1z

— Rob P | robakaron.eth (@RobAKARon) December 25, 2018

Here’s my theory and thread about #UsMovie! This movie will references themes of duality, double consciousness, and identity, etc. pic.twitter.com/jQ440Ouufa

— KB (@weather_reportz) December 25, 2018

Testing a film theory for “Us” (I’m probably wrong but just go with it)

— 🦆 (@pardonmyxfrench) December 25, 2018

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