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The 1980s funhouse has a hokey Indian theme, with a totem pole standing out front.
A smaller sign with an arrow points down through the open entrance.
Find yourself, it tells her.
In she goes, to a hall of mirrors where she will, quite literally,find herself.
So many non-Native people who seize aspects of our spirituality often do so in an effort to find themselves.
A mechanical owl popped out next, causing the girl to jump.
Fans of horror will certainly have taken notice of the funhouse scene for one reason or another.
It not-so-coincidentally mirrors the introduction of a familiar horror setting: the Overlook Hotel.
Peele has admitted thatThe Shiningserved asmajor inspirationfor hisGet Outfollow-up.
Today, fans pore over the symbolism inThe Shining,still hoping to find unclaimed Easter eggs.
Peele, a student of horror, clearly wishes theUsaudienceto do the same.
And so I did.
And, yup, sure enough!
Suddenly, she sees the back of her tethered twin, a double that looks just like her.
Twins are powerful figures in the stories of many Native tribes.
The HoChunks have Hero Twins that fight monsters.
The concept of duality is even represented in our ribbonwork designs that are mirror-image florals of contrasting colors.
They represent a world seeking balance between light and dark, a struggle inUs,as well.
Is it the funhouse, calling her back?
She realizes her son, Jason, is missing, and she runs in the direction of the mirrors.
But the present-day version of the funhouse is different.
(Stephen King was a serial abuser of the Indian Burial Ground trope.)
On the other hand, the hall of mirrors transformation could reflect a grander American scheme.
It played out like a perfect metaphor for settlers laying claim to Native land.
Peele has made it clear that Us isnot specifically a movie about race.
And really, it isnt.
Its about much more than that.
The eeriness of his movie depends on which of his references and symbols grip audience members.
In a way, the funhouse never really leaves us either.
The biggest for me was when Adelaide asked Red, Who are you people?
And Red answered in the truest way possible: We are Americans.
