Nope

This review may contain spoilers!

Nope marks Jordan Peele's third horror feature project and follows two siblings as they do their best to capture the 'money shot' of a mysterious flying entity near their ranch. This is a film that really has such a sharp presence of what we watch and how we watch it. The film is quick to point out how we seek out spectacle in media now, be that film, TV or social media. In this film all of the characters are trying to capture the image of this UFO; some who want it to propel them to wealth while others seek to control it to heighten their own image. But there are a lot of warnings in this film about how we chase sensation like this, one is the UFO itself (affectionately named 'Jean Jacket') while the other is the story of Gordy. The UFO is initially seen as extraterrestrial, this awe-inspiring unknown that promises fame for all of our characters who pursue it. Yet once we discover what the UFO truly is, a flying entity that preys upon creatures in it's 'territory', we really understand a major theme of the film. The way we craft media and chase fame/spectacle now is a cycle that consumes us; the role of Jupe tried to control the UFO to propel himself to greater heights of fame and was ultimately one of the first human victims. Expanding upon Jupe, his backstory is a supremely important part of this message. Jupe was a child actor on a show called 'Gordy's Family', a 90s family sitcom about a suburban family who had a monkey as a member. The show used live monkeys and was one of the most popular TV shows of the time, but one of the monkeys attacked the cast during a shoot after prop balloons started popping onset. The carnage that follows, and the lack of control those who run the show have over the creature that has given them their ratings is a powerful moment. In a lot of ways the backstory with Jupe and Gordy is far scarier than the main plot with the UFO. I also have to say the way horror is used here is so different from past films, this time around the entity is huge and the fact I was so petrified of something so easy to see visually is a real testament to the work done here. This film crafts a tone filled with dread, and when the UFO attacks Jupe's show I don't think my body relaxed for nearly fifteen minutes.

Nope is an absolutely gorgeous film that makes full use of such wide open expanses to maximum effect; Peele also proves his mastery in this by crafting shots that highlight the inclusion of such mammoth visual effects in a very realistic manner. The visual effects themselves look incredible, the design for the UFO draws off the classic look but becomes something so unique and engaging to watch. I also knew when I saw Terry notary's name on-screen I was in for a good time, and the way Gordy is captured is something else entirely. Michael Abels work on the music for this really left me tense and on edge for minutes at a time; while the soundtrack itself is very cool but often mixed to be discordant in classic Peele style.

Keke Palmer, who played Emerald Haywood, is an immeasurable presence in this film; Palmer crafts a role who is star of her own show and full of energy no matter the scene. Brandon Perea, who played Angel Torres, is one of the more genuine sources of comedy in the film; I also loved the way Perea depicted his role steadily buying into the UFO so heavily with the Haywood siblings. Steven Yeun, who played Ricky 'Jupe' Park, is one of the standout performances in the film that I baying for more scenes; Yeun plays a figure who has always been shaped by showmanship and spectacle which makes for a dubiously unpredictable figure. Wrenn Schmidt, who played Amber Park, has a nice on-screen chemistry with Yeun; she really feels like a rock that keeps him determined and moving forward even if that pathway is dangerous. Keith David, who played Otis Haywood Sr., isn't in the film much but reminds us why he's a legend every time he's onscreen; David feels like a charismatic showman in flashbacks while also a bit of a wise guide to his young son. Jacob Kim, who played Young Ricky 'Jupe' Park, is a fascinating role that I can easily believe would have jumped off those old 90s sitcoms; yet there is that contrast where we see the sheer terror from Kim after Gordy goes on a violent rampage.

However, the best performance came from Daniel Kaluuya, who played OJ Haywood. Recently in an interview, Jordan Peele described Kaluuya as his 'De Niro'; and after Get Out and Nope it's very easy to see why. OJ is a very understated role, he keeps quiet and moves through this film studiously. But that exterior conceals a lot of strength, intellect and compassion that makes him one of my favourite protagonists penned by Peele. The way we see OJ initially struggle to fill the void left by his recently deceased father is a great introduction, the young man works within the entertainment industry but he has no confidence around being a showman. Kaluuya's role has a deep respect for the horses he trains, and more to the point he is a natural wrangler and trainer. Watching this role barrel around trying to protect people and animal alike from the UFO makes him very heroic, and the way he lays himself on the line for his sister by film's end is very moving. I found OJ very sharp, he pieced together the UFO mystery extremely well and holds a quiet charisma that slowly draws you in.

This film is a real masterclass in sci-fi horror and is really transfixing to watch right up until the end, yet the ending has its pitfalls. I really found the final confrontation between Emerald and the UFO to be somewhat anti-climactic. The creature is defeated in a way that doesn't feel very impressive and OJ riding on back, still being alive, is a moment that I feel takes the wind out of the sails a bit. OJ's sacrifice is quite a major moment and him being present right at the end takes quite a bit of tension out of that final act. But this isn't the only moment where things feel a little corny in this film. There's a whole director character called Antlers Holst, who allows himself to be consumed by the very thing he is trying to capture. It's a very on the nose moment thematically and it really doesn't escalate the film at all.

Michael Wincott, who played Antlers Holst, is one of those roles that just doesn't feel quite right the entire time; Holst has this gravelly irreverent presence that feels out of place with the rest of the cast and the overall story. Devon Graye, who played Ryder Muybridge, is quite over the top as the minor TMZ antagonist; this role just comes in quite abruptly and while I like the function of the role the character does nothing for me.

Nope is yet another Get Out-level success for Jordan Peele, you cannot be prepared for what this film is. I would give Nope an 8/10.