Nope is a great example of how you can be subtly terrifying while providing blockbuster entertainment. Now, Nope isn’t a downright horror movie. it’s so many things wrapped into one, horror, thriller, Sci-Fy, comedy, and drama.
This is part of Nope’s brilliance. Jordan Peele is able to capture so many things in one movie while not loosing his auteur quality of meshing genres. It’s a thrilling western sci-fi family drama that never feels like it’s too much.
This underlying theme that humanity loves to see a spectacle and thinks that they can tame any beast brings this sense of doom and terror that just lets itself cast a looming shadow over our characters. This idea about humanity makes us think about why the things are happening on screen and how just like the characters in the movie we love a spectacle no matter how gruesome or awful that we just can’t look away. That brings us to the amazing cast which pull this story together perfectly.
Keke Palmer, Daniel Kaluuya, and Steven Yuen all shine and there’s a bright new addition with Brandon Perea. Keke Palmer is definitely the stand out here and steals the show completely. She brings such great energy, comedic timing, and care to the screen. She deserves all the flowers and all the recognition for her work here because she is magnificent and steals the screen every time she’s on it.
Nope’s story is incredibly rich as expected with a Peele movie. The themes explored are interesting and displayed in a terrifying way. There is a scene where a group of people are being attacked by our alien force and the sound work and camera work make the scene absolutely terrifying. You can’t even fully see what’s going on but you can’t take your eyes off it because like explained earlier it’s a spectacle.
Our big third act in Nope provides us with everything great about the film. There’s great comedic timing, incredible visuals, intense action, and searing dramatic moments. There’s a chase scene that will just take your breath away. The idea that we can’t even look up into the sky without knowing what might be hiding behind the clouds is terrifying and curious.
Nope delivers on all accounts and I am keeping the review vague to keep the suspense and surprise of the film. It’s a big movie and is such a fun time while also delivering chilling moments. It’s an action packed, spine chilling experience that should be experienced more than once and on the biggest screen possible.
I give Nope an A+
