Nope Wrangles Audiences in With Intrigue and Apprehension

PJ Sills
Staff Reporter

Jordan Peele’s Nope is easily one of the best modern day horror movies. Nope is a humorous horror film about horse wrangler and trainer OJ Haywood (played by Daniel Kaluuya) and his sister Emerald (played by Keke Palmer) who notice suspicious behavior in the skies above their recently deceased father’s ranch. With the help of a local Fry’s Electronics employee with frosted tips, they dare to banish the extraterrestrial presence that is after their horses. 

Peele’s work has challenged Hollywood with its fresh take on classic horror and Steven Spielberg tropes. As well, his films have had representation in every film, the two main characters both being black and one being a woman. Not only is this film progressive, but it is hilarious, which has become Peele’s hallmark.. Nope will make you laugh as much as it makes you gasp in terror. 

The cast is charismatic and likable and the plot moves at a slow pace, but it works well. The viewer never feels bored—the tension is high and keeps you on the edge of your seat. It expertly mimics the pace of a classic western film, but everything about the film feels professional and fresh. 

Many professional (and old white male) critics have overly criticized this film, especially for its pace. However, not only is the story kept moving by appropriate comic relief, it flashes back and forth with another entwined story involving Ricky “Jupe” Park (played by Steven Yeun). This story is the goriest part of the film, as it uncovers the sinister origins of Jupe’s acting career as a child. 

Ricky finds himself at odds with the alien presence as well, and tries to capitalize off of its bewilderment in his wild west amusement park. 

Jordan Peele gave a piece of his vision by helping to define a theme for the film. “The villain is this otherworldly threat. And it is also something that everyone has in common—everyone’s relationship to the spectacle.” 

Everything about this film is memorable between the carefully considered suspense and its uniqueness in all aspects. If you would like to watch Nope or other popular independent films, the Grand Cinema here in Tacoma gives free tickets to those with a LuteCard!

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