Jordan Peele’s ‘Us’ Named Best Film Of 2019 By The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA)

Although Us was snubbed for a Golden Globe nomination, the psychological horror film has received three awards from the African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA). 

Taking home the highest honor, Us has been named the best film of 2019 by the AAFCA. Peele also received the Best Director award, and Lupita Nyong’o took home the prize for Best Actress.

“Jordan Peele continued to raise the bar in horror specifically and film overall” AAFCA President and co-founder Gil Robertson said in a statement. “With ‘Us,’ he once again upended the horror genre. His centering of a black nuclear family determined to survive in a complex storyline in a genre where black family units have historically been unseen is extraordinary.” 

“He continues to push previously set boundaries with bold storylines that bring a refreshing perspective to cinema overall and the genre specifically,” said Robertson. “The film’s $255 million global gross is yet another example that inclusive filmmaking resonates big at the box office and it also resonated critically with our members who awarded the film with our highest honors.”

Lupita Nyong’o’s monumental talent was also recognized and honored by Robertson. “Our Best Actress winner, Lupita Nyong’o put her craft in high gear by serving up double duty as both the lead protagonist and nemesis in ‘Us.’ Already awed by her skill in previous films, ‘Us’ just put her over the top,” he said. “Playing double duty allowed her to show even more range as an actor, putting her in an elite group of actresses who have helmed a successful box office film as the star. We are excited to see even more of her range in the future.”

Here is the complete list of the AAFCA Awards recipients: 

Best Film: Us (Universal Pictures)

Best Director: Jordan Peele (Us, Universal Pictures)

Best Actor: Eddie Murphy (Dolemite Is My Name, Netflix)

Best Actress: Lupita Nyong’o (Us, Universal Pictures)

Best Supporting Actor: Jamie Foxx (Just Mercy, Warner Bros. Pictures)

Best Supporting Actress: Da’Vine Joy Randolph (Dolemite Is My Name, Netflix)

Best Breakout Performance: Kelvin Harrison, Jr. (Waves, A24)

Best Animated Film: Abominable (Universal Pictures)

Best Documentary: The Black Godfather (Netflix)

Best Foreign Film: Parasite (Neon)

Best Independent Film: The Last Black Man in San Francisco (A24)

Best Screenplay Presented with The Black List: Bong Joon-ho, Parasite (Neon)

Impact Award: Queen & Slim (Universal Pictures)

We See You Award: Taylor Russell (Waves, A24)

The AAFCA 2019 Top Ten Films

1. Us (Universal Pictures)

2. Dolemite Is My Name (Netflix)

3. Just Mercy (Warner Bros. Pictures)

4. Clemency (Neon)

5. The Irishman (Netflix)

6. Queen & Slim (Universal Pictures)

7. Waves (A24)

8. TIE Parasite (Neon) and Atlantics (Netflix)

9. The Farewell (A24)

10. Harriet (Focus Features)