Nope 2022 (R)

As the lights go out and music becomes distorted, an earsplitting unnatural echo of a horse’s whinny fills the air. As a large shadow moves through the clouds above. 

“Nope” is the third horror movie directed by the masterful Jordan Peele following his previous hits “Get Out” (2017) and “Us” (2019). “Nope” is a horror sci fi film that is a very different horror movie, putting a nice twist on classic tropes. As is with all of Peele’s work, what you see in the trailers aren’t what you get. This was especially true with this film, all of the trailers being intentionally misleading in what the film was about. Being left in the dark about the film before watching it actually elevates the viewing experience as you are in the shoes of the characters as they find out what is going on with you.

“Nope” follows two horse-wrangling siblings OJ (Daniel Kaluuya) and Emerald (Keke Palmer) Haywood as they attempt to find out why their horses are disappearing. In this search, they find out that they are in a UFO hotspot. Seeing their chance to gather their claim to fame and a hefty paycheck, they attempt to get evidence of this phenomenon. However, they get a lot more than they bargained for as more and more horses and people disappear. 

If horror movies that make you think are your thing, this is the movie for you. “Nope” is filled to the brim with hidden metaphors and foreshadowing as well as beautiful cinematography throughout. The characters are entertaining and interesting, such as Ricky “Jupe” Park (Steven Yeun) whose warmness and thirst for the limelight bring in an enthralling subplot. There are many moments of comedy to settle tension and suspense throughout, supplied in the most part by Angel Torres (Brandon Perea) who gives an energetic and comedic performance. The film is a must see for any fans of Jordan Peele or unusual takes on horror. It’s highly recommended that you see it while it’s still in theaters. It is a perfect movie to see with some friends and talk about afterwards.