One perhaps unintended side-effect of Jordan Peele's by-all-accounts-terrifying new horror film Us is that moviegoers can't see the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in quite the same way anymore.
Us was filmed on location in Santa Cruz, and Peele even tossed in a reference to another famous horror film shot there, 1987's The Lost Boys. (An opening flashback sequence in Us has a mother on the Boardwalk point out to a daughter in 1986, "They're shooting a movie over there.")
As ABC 7 reports, talking to locals in Santa Cruz, many people there seem to think the popularity of the movie will be a boon for tourism. And Kris Reyes, a spokesperson for the Boardwalk, tells CBS SF that tourist numbers were up over the weekend, especially for their "haunted stuff" — i.e. a couple of haunted attractions.
KTVU also reports that "curious" fans were flocking to the Boardwalk over the weekend.
Curious movie fans are flocking to #SantaCruz following the release of the hit horror film #Us @AnnRubinKTVU reports: https://t.co/Zrnp7DP290
— KTVU (@KTVU) March 26, 2019But that's not what everyone on Twitter is saying...
The admission-free Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is open daily! pic.twitter.com/wKMUm9iob7
— tash (@tashcoug) March 22, 2019I’m never going to the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk again. #Us
— R Scarr (@ross_scarr) March 25, 2019After watching Us I’m never going to Santa Cruz beach Boardwalk 🙅🏽♀️
— Nancy 🦋 (@Nancyguerrero_) March 25, 2019If any of you are wondering if the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz is really as scary as it is in Us, yes it is and IRL you can get a staph infection from that place.
— Embee (@okwowcool) March 26, 2019saw us today and honestly santa cruz is the perfect place for this to take place i’m already terrified of the boardwalk
— Sand Hanitizer (@RainaFern) March 26, 2019I don’t see Santa Cruz beach boardwalk the same anymore after watching the movie “Us”... omg
— Jaina Faith Vergel Bandoma (@FaithJaina) March 25, 2019The Santa Cruz Boardwalk was closed and quiet Monday, but to some visitors, it made the place feel very eerie after seeing Hollywood's new horror film, 'Us.' https://t.co/9UIYM46ii3
— KPIX 5 (@KPIXtv) March 26, 2019Throw back to when we saw them filming “Us” at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk!! pic.twitter.com/aeDTW1QjTs
— Jesse (@wilkentv) March 25, 2019Meanwhile, the Chronicle has done this nice primer on all the movies that have been shot in and around the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, starting with 1971's Harold & Maude.