Friday’s openings: Doppelgängers of doom

Last year, when "Get Out" earned Jordan Peele a Best Original Screenplay, he became the first African-American to win such a coveted award. In addition to critical accolades, the film was a box-office hit, taking in some $176 million — all on a paltry $4.5 million budget.

Now, comes the second act. Peele's sophomore outing as writer-director, "Us," is Friday's single major opening, according to the national-release schedule:

"Us": A suburban family of four's daily life is turned upside down when they are confronted by a quartet that seems to be their … doubles? To quote Walt Kelly's comic-strip "Pogo," "We have met the enemy and he is us."

As for the Magic Lantern, in addition to a second-run opening of the documentary "Apollo 11," it is opening:

"To Dust": A grieving Hasidic cantor, having just lost his wife, teams with a community-college biology professor to investigate what happens to a body after death. Don't let the description deter you: This is a dark comedy.

"Birds of Passage" ("Pájaros de verano"): During the 1970s, an indigenous tribe in Colombia attempts to take control of the drug trade in their area with tragic consequences. Very much not a comedy. In Wayuu and Spanish with English subtitles.

As always, I'll update when the area theaters finalize their bookings.