AUSTIN, Texas — Jordan Peele's highly anticipated second thriller, "Us," premiered in a packed Paramoute Theatre at the 2019 South by Southwest Festival Friday and it left many with chills.
After Peele's first thriller, "Get Out" -- which won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay back in 2017 -- many weren't sure what to expect from the director's second film. But after it's premiere, it seems as though the thriller has already gained several fans and rave reviews from critics.
"Us," which stars Lupita Nyong'o and Winston Duke, follows a family who is haunted by their doppelgangers during a family vacation. The vacation quickly takes a turn when the family is forced to fight for their lives after their evil doppelgangers appear outside of their house.
Here's a look at the chilling trailer:
During an interview with Buzzfeed News Saturday at SXSW, Peele, Nyong'o and Duke spoke about watching the premiere and what it was like getting into their characters.
PHOTOS: Jordan Peele, Lupita Nyong'o and Winston Duke discuss 'US' film at SXSW
The director and cast said it was incredible to watch the film with an audience for the first time.
"It never ceases to amaze me. The final piece of creating something like this is experiencing it with the audience," said Peele. "It was really one of the best nights of my life."
"The audience helped me get out of my own head and experience the film as a member of the audience," Nyong'o added. "I saw things through their reactions that I hadn't seen before."
Duke mentioned that hearing the audience's reactions helped complete the cinematic experience.
"I saw the movie once before and I didn't notice many things and I didn't know how they would play until last night," Duke said. "It was electric. Everyone was there."
When it came to getting into character and her evil doppelganger, Nyong'o said it was a "challenge."
"The characters we play are distinct and they're separate, but they're also linked," Nyong'o said. "It was a challenge to sort it out in my head. I've never really done that. As an actor, you invest in one perspective and you're an advocate for that perspective. Here you had to do that and the next day you had to be the complete opposite perspective."
As for Duke, who played Gabe in the film, he said he tended to stay in character while on set.
"I was always Gabe I think at all times" said Duke.
Needless to say, Peele has taught us -- no pun intended -- to expect the unexpected when it comes to his films.
For those waiting to see this highly anticipated film, it will officially hit theaters on March 22. To purchase tickets, click here.