Us was SXSW 2019's Opening Night Film, and its premiere was highly anticipated in the wake of the surprise smash success of Peele's previous film Get Out, which combined horror with startling candor about American race relations. Peele had been to SXSW in 2016 for the premiere of Keanu, his comedy with Key and Peele partner, Keegan Michael Key. Nyong'o is best known for her 2013 Oscar win for Best Supporting Actress in 12 Years A Slave, and in addition to Us, she also starred in the 2019 Film Festival selection Little Monsters.