Oscar® winner Jordan Peele disrupted and redefined modern horror with Get Out and then Us. Now, he brings us a new nightmare: the expansive horror epic, Nope.
The film reunites Peele with Oscar® winner Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out, Judas and the Black Messiah), who is joined by Keke Palmer (Hustlers, Alice) and Oscar® nominee Steven Yeun (Minari, Okja) as residents in a lonely gulch of inland California who bear witness to an uncanny and chilling discovery. Other Nope co-stars include Michael Wincott (Hitchcock, Westworld) and Brandon Perea (The OA, American Insurrection).
NOPE has finally hit theaters and I had the privilege of viewing the premiere. The following contains major spoilers, continue at your discretion.
My Thoughts: Jordan Peele has always outdone himself each time and he’s blown it out of the water with his newest film. NOPE is a must-watch and rewatch. It is as addictive as it is creative. With every watch, one notices more of the subliminal messages encoded throughout his use of symbolism. Subtle messages laid throughout the movie meant to educate and speak on certain topics and issues.
The main themes involve Man vs Nature, our perceived place as humans, and our arrogance regarding that, this is seen with Jupe and his involvement both with Gordy ( a chimpanzee) and an extraterrestrial being known as Jean Jacket. There is also Antlers and his chase for the “impossible shot” something so alluring that he destroys himself in getting it.
There is so much to speak on beyond this. For example, the subtle messages around the film industry and people’s obsession with clout and wealth. Truly the layers held within NOPE are not something you can reveal with just one watch. Compared to Jordan Peele’s previous movies I believe this to be his best work yet. The cinematography is breathtaking with such intelligent angles and camera usage.
My favorite scene is the Gordy attack on the cast and crew during Gordy’s Home and how the camera makes us feel and seem like we are there watching the events unfold right in front of us. The film also utilizes its natural scenery so effortlessly. The openness one feels while watching the movie with the vast canyon and open sky makes it all feel so large and immense. Yet how such an open sky feels so closed in with the tension you feel as something hunts. Regarding the tension, it’s arguably the greatest weapon in this film. Peele uses this to keep you on your toes as you never know where Jean Jacket is or what next, and his jumpscares are much better than most others in horror films with their delivery far better but its result doesn’t just end with a quick ah from you instead it delivers a far more superior sense of dread and horror. The best example of tension in the film is when Jupe remembers Gordy’s attack on the set the lead-up and build-up is stomach turning and it never loses that sense of fear and tension it remains grows even with the scene standing out to me as one of the best moments.
The soundscape used in the movie brings together a whole new level of fear as it gives Jean Jacket a presence of terror while remaining off camera out of sight but not out of mind, it feels alive in a brand new way emphasizing its dominion. There is also the aspect how early on and even to some extent for the whole movie there is that fear of the unknown some elements of Lovecraftian horror if you begin to ask certain questions.
In my personal opinion, they have made something honestly refreshing and amazing with how the movie breaks barriers and isn’t one distinct thing with a mix of action, horror, comedy, kaiju, and a western just from my takeaway. NOPE has delivered and even surpassed my expectations truly standing on its own and not relying on the name of the last two films before it to carry it. I cannot recommend this enough and if you can watch it on the biggest screen possible.
Rating 8.5/10- Worth a watch or two at least three
(p.s Gotta love the Akira Slide homage and it was executed beautifully)
