Caretakers at a California horse ranch encounter a mysterious force that affects human and animal behaviour.
Director: Jordan Peele
Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Brandon Perea, Steven Yeun, Michael Wincott
Release Date: July 22, 2022
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Rated R for language throughout and some violence/bloody images.
Runtime: 2h 10m
Review:
Jordan Peele's Nope is a strange sort of concoction that's intriguing on multiple levels for a variety of reasons. Peele's film is a slow burn sci-fi film which leans heavily on its colorful characters and gorgeous cinematography both of which makes it easier to ignore some of the script's more glaring inadequacies. The story plays out in two portions with the lead up providing some genuine, albeit fake out, chills while the second borrows heavily from a couple of classic horror films. Peele pulls off an impressive sleight of hand in the first half leading you to believe you are watching a certain type of genre film before flipping the script even though he provides plenty of clues early on. This is the type of film that will prove divisive once the reveal occurs especially since there is very little in the way of answers provided. Peele seems to be making a concerted effort to make his film a discussion piece since multiple facets of it leave it open for endless theorizing and pontification. On screen, Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer and Brandon Perea make for a fun trio. Kaluuya is a talented performer who can transmit so much by doing so little, its not a showy turn but its still incredibly dense. Keke Palmer is lively and fun throughout getting some of the film's funniest lines. Brandon Perea also get some fun moments as the overly involved Fry's employee. Michael Wincott and Steven Yeun both do solid work in underwritten roles that never feel fully realized. Those looking for a terrifying horror film will likely be left wanting with Nope since its funnier than scary. Peele's film does play well as a love letter to his cinematic inspirations from a genre he clearly loves.
A-
