Nope (2022)

OJ Haywood (Daniel Kaluuya) and Emerald Haywood (Keke Palmer) [brother and sister] are ranch owners and horse trainers living in the desert of California. They, along with a few other nearby residents find themselves in the middle of something horrific–something completely uncanny. As they do their best to determine what has befallen them, they realize that all that they believed to be true will come into question. With that, the siblings will be forced into a series of situations in which the only appropriate response seems to be to utter the word “Nope.”

Writer, Director, and Producer Jordan Peele has found his way in Hollywood by being the guy that creates some of the most unique content that the world has ever seen. From Key & Peele to Get Out, each and every thing that he touches turns to gold in one way or another–and he regularly takes the world by storm; Nope is no exception. He’s a visionary in this saturated world of cinema, and each and every aspect of this film lends itself to success.

Peele’s attention to detail is unparalleled in film. There are some wonderful writers and directors present in the world–but Peele creates art in which each and every piece of it has the potential to be game changing within its respective piece–forcing viewers to watch and absorb every single second of what he’s created. Throughout the course of Nope viewers have to consider the fact that everything that happens throughout is important to the story, that it can, in one way or another, affect the trajectory of what we’re watching. While not every single word can always mean something, knowing that it has the potential to allow viewers the ability to better focus on the film and have a better understanding of a very difficult-to-understand film. That, too, is what Peele has excelled at–creating challenging films–and the journey through the unknown is always entertaining as a result of the way in which he creates his films.

If we’re being honest with ourselves, much of what takes place throughout the course of Nope makes little sense to us until we are supposed to know. That’s part of what’s appealing about the film–we know answers are coming, but we have to work for them (making much of the film rewarding as a result). This mystery and ambiguity exists in great part due to the cinematography. Director of Photography Hoyte Van Hoytema, much like Peele, manages to find a space in cinema that feels previously untapped. Again, confusion reigns supreme in Nope, and his ability to create that using a strange array of camera angles is incredible. There are often times when we don’t get the whole picture, when we are only able to see bits and pieces of the whole–and that creates something immersive and entertaining.

Kaluuya is a wonderful actor. Brandon Perea (Angel Torres) is superb throughout. Each and every actor, even the ones playing the smallest roles in Nope, deliver brilliantly–but Palmer steals the show. She manages to be both impeccably dramatic and sincerely funny at the same time. While the comic relief can often be viewed in a negative light, Palmer wears more than just that hat throughout the duration of the film. Yes, she’s hilarious, and she often brings a sense of levity to these insane situations–but her ability to add to the narrative trumps that comedic aspect, making her well-rounded and downright entertaining in every way.

Sound plays such a pivotal role in how viewers perceive Nope. From the thrilling soundtrack with songs like “Sunglasses at Night” by Corey Hart and “Exuma, The Obeah Man” by Exuma–the soundtrack captivates audiences throughout. The often upbeat songs juxtapose the intense tones of the film, but they, much like Palmer, manage to both create a sense of levity and heighten the intensity present at any given moment. The score, however, the harrowing, deafening score, intensifies throughout–pulling in viewers, strengthening our connection to what we see on screen. Every aspect of this score and soundtrack is brilliant, unfaltering, and perfectly supportive of the film as a whole.

Is this Peele’s best film? No. But considering how spectacular it is, that’s a hell of a statement regarding his career. We’ve all heard the conversations about the best writers and directors in Hollywood–but I can’t seem to fathom that Peele’s name hasn’t often made the list. Just look at Nope–it’s a masterpiece in more ways than one, and it’s not even the best that Peele has to offer. But I digress.

Nope is incredible, and from the moment the film begins, before we even see a person, while the opening credits still roll–I was pulled in, wrapped up in this deep, layered narrative. Nope is scary, and in a lot of ways it holds a mirror up to society–and it begs us to question our reality. Once again Peele is stunning in what he creates, and Nope delivers a slew of emotions and relevant themes. With a stellar cast, beautiful cinematography, impeccable sound, and just about every other aspect working wonders–Nope is a massive success.

Written & Directed by Jordan Peele.

Starring Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Steven Yeun, Brandon Perea, Michael Wincott, etc.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10