I was lucky enough to be invited to an advance screening of Jordan Peele’s Nope and, given the last minute nature of the invitation, I went in without really knowing anything about the film other than what I could guess from the trailer. I can honestly say Nope is one of those films for which the less you know, the better it is.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting it has a crazy twist or anything of the sort, but the originality of the story and the way it unfolds (especially compared to the countless numerous films of the same nature) is truly one of the biggest strengths of Nope. With this in mind, I will refrain from summarizing the plot and will instead urge you to simply go watch it while avoiding overly descriptive reviews beforehand.
Nope is a departure from Us and Get Out with Peele tackling sci-fi instead of horror this time around. That being said, horror fans will be happy to know there are still some genuinely creepy scenes and one memorable moment (and imagery) that will make gorehounds quite happy. The film also differs in themes and tone with Nope really playing up Peele’s comedic talent with a delightful dose of dark humour. Keke Palmer carries the film and shines in a role that is both hilarious and endearing, especially when playing opposite Daniel Kaluuya. Steven Yeun, Brandon Perea and Michael Wincott complete the cast of main players in fun and MEMORABLE roles.
The 131-minute runtime allows Peele to really set the table and take us on a journey with these characters. The film never feels long, but the first half is more of a slow-burn, albeit one that pays off once “shit hits the fan”. Overall, Nope is a really fun film that cements Jordan Peele’s reputation as one of the most exciting new voices of genre cinema, all while showing that he has a lot of exciting tricks up his sleeve.
