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I think many horror fans can agree that Jordan Peele has a knack for the genre after the success of movies like “Get Out” and “Us.” These films have also solidified his ability to make original films that aren’t based on existing books or franchises, but still draw crowds to theaters purely based on his vision. His latest project from 2022, “Nope,” is another visually stunning, cinematic experience that’s now streaming on Netflix.
“Nope” is a dark sci-fi movie that explores humanity’s addiction to capturing and exploiting the extraordinary, often at the expense of nature. Not only was it a commercial success (earning over $170 million worldwide), but it also received widespread critical acclaim. It’s all very much deserved, because “Nope” is a truly unsettling experience that builds a creeping sense of dread throughout its runtime. Plus, it has a truly insane third act that left my jaw on the floor.
If you’re looking for something seriously tense this week, or prefer your sci-fi flicks with a healthy dose of horror, here’s why “Nope” should be on your Netflix watchlist.
What is ‘Nope’ about?
“Nope” follows siblings OJ (Daniel Kaluuya) and Emerald Haywood (Keke Palmer), who run a family horse ranch in rural California. After their father dies in a sudden and unexplained incident involving objects falling from the sky, they struggle to keep the ranch afloat and begin noticing strange disturbances overhead.
As unexplained aerial activity increases around their property, they become determined to capture undeniable proof of what is happening. They team up with tech store employee Angel Torres (Brandon Perea) and filmmaker Antlers Holst (Michael Wincott) to document the phenomenon, while nearby theme park owner Ricky “Jupe” Park (Steven Yeun) attempts to capitalize on the same mysterious presence.
Their plan gradually reveals the scale of what they are up against, and their efforts shift toward surviving and confronting the entity in the sky before it consumes everything in its path.
‘Nope’ is a visually impressive genre experiment
I can tell you right now that “Nope” is not what I expected in the slightest. Granted, I went in with little knowledge beyond the fact that it stars Steven Yeun from “The Walking Dead” (my favorite show ever) and is directed by Jordan Peele, but I came away with a lingering sense of unease. I also had nightmares for a few days afterward. Put simply, “Nope” is one of the strangest and creepiest films I’ve seen in recent years.
The film begins with a bizarre tragedy. While working on their ranch, OJ and his father hear a strange, echoing noise from the sky. Suddenly, a localized storm of random objects like coins, keys, and other debris rains down from the clouds. It’s a striking piece of sci-fi weirdness, and it only gets stranger as the characters uncover the source of the disturbances.
One of the most notable figures introduced is Ricky “Jupe” Park, a former child star who now runs a cheesy Western-themed attraction nearby. Perhaps the most disturbing sequence (and one that may warrant a warning for more sensitive viewers) is a flashback showing young Jupe witnessing a brutal chimpanzee attack. However, it does brace you for the utter madness in the third act, with some truly bone-crunching sequences I still can’t get out of my head.
“Nope” knows how to build tension through its larger visual scale compared to Peele’s other projects, largely due to the incredible team he assembled behind the camera. In fact, he actually teamed up with cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema, known for his work on Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar” and “Oppenheimer,” and that alone should be convincing enough for anyone. The soundscape of this film is also arguably one of its most terrifying elements, and you might still hear its echoing music days later.
While “Nope” is visually striking and conceptually ambitious, it isn’t without its weaker elements. One such example is its pacing, particularly in the first half, where much of the film is spent setting up its characters before introducing the central threat. It also occasionally struggles to connect its story threads, such as Jupe’s past trauma and the sci-fi mystery at its core. Still, if you don’t mind a slightly fragmented narrative and a slower start, “Nope” is a must-watch for genre fans.
Peele’s third feature might have a few loose ends, but it succeeds as a wildly creative, highly original sci-fi horror that never loses its sense of fun. At its core, the film acts as a striking mirror to our society, capturing the twisted way we find a strange, hypnotic beauty in the most horrifying events.
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