Jordan Peele has done it again with his new Horror/Sci-fi film “Nope.” The film has received positive reviews from critics and audiences love it. “Nope” is different from Peele’s previous work, “Get Out” and “Us.” What makes “Nope” so special?
Let’s take a look.
Jordan Peele’s third feature film centers on siblings Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer, who must protect their family farm from an alien force.
The trailers for “Nope,” one of the most feverishly anticipated films of this summer, have raised some intriguing questions. Is it a western? Satire? Science fiction? A horror movie? Will it live up to the expectations raised by Peele’s first two mind-blowing productions “Get Out” and “Us”? To answer all your questions: YES, the film is again wonderfully managed tense, the jokes are sharp and well-timed, and the atmosphere is unnerving but enticing.
“Nope” in short, paints the detailed picture of the hurdles surrounding maintaining their ranch that a brother and sister face as they battle an adversary they know next to nothing about. Had it been against a bunch of zombies, a bear or some other bloodthirsty creature, this film could have followed a predictable path.
We know blockbusters like Independence Day, or War of the Worlds, and the typical large-scale invasion-like UFO story we’ve all seen before. Here, there is only one family in a remote canyon where that one unseen mysterious adversary lurks continuously. As a result, it gives a whole new perspective on the sci-fi/horror genre.
Thematic elements also play a role in this film by Peele. If you’ve seen Nope, you know that a regular chimpanzee passes by and becomes an important part of the story. It is hard not to see the parallel between the chimpanzee and the alien, but the human response is most crucial here. This brings me to the character of actor Steven Yeun.
Although he is not one of the main characters, his presence is essential to understanding the notions of exploitation and spectacle that the film addresses. As a young actor, Ricky “Jupe” Park went through a traumatic experience that left a deep impression. Instead of hiding from the spotlight, as others might imagine, he tackles this trauma to put on a show at his fairgrounds that will amaze visitors. He has tried other things in the past, but he knew he had his best show yet when he saw what was lurking on the Haywood estate.
If you’ve seen Nope, then you know that his character’s experiment reveals humanity’s long history of abusing creatures we consider “lower.” Animals are often used in entertainment to achieve our own selfish goals.
The cast of Nope cannot be overlooked in this film review. Both Keke Palmer and Daniel Kaluuya put in excellent performances in their roles. 
From beginning to end, the bond between brother and sister is very clear. Palmer and Kaluuya manage to do justice to that relationship in an original way by bringing in textbook brother/sister traits, such as bickering, love, and protection. Both are brilliant actors, so seeing them on screen together makes for a fantastic fictional journey into the dynamics of a family with an alien in the backyard.
In other words, if you’re in for an unconventional film that lends itself to more interesting conversations that don’t just focus on whether aliens are good or bad, definitely head to the big screen this weekend.
“Nope”, showing in Dutch cinemas since August 18!
