Warning: Contains spoilers!
In recent years, filmmaker Jordan Peele has become one of the most prominent horror filmmakers of the 21st century. Through his use of unconventional artistic choices, Peele produces high-quality films that fall under the genres of horror and psychological thriller, whilst delivering wise social commentary.
Peele made his directorial debut in the film world with his 2017 film Get Out, starring Daniel Kaluuya. Since the release of Get Out, Peele has directed several other successful horror/thriller films, the most recent one being Nope.
Nope follows the complicated lives of the Haywood siblings living on their late father’s horse ranch. Otis Jr. (Daniel Kaluuya) and Emerald (Keke Palmer) begin noticing strange events taking place on the farm following their father’s sudden death one day after his eye is punctured by an unknown object from the sky. At first, the Haywood siblings only notice small occurrences, such as the power going out, a freakish rainstorm and odd behavior from their horses. Soon enough, though, the siblings direct all their attention toward a flying saucer that has been flying over their farm.
Should you see Nope? Yep. While Nope seems to be just a modern-day alien movie, the movie proves to be so much more. You will leave the theater deep in thought about ecology, the film industry and the horrors of the modern-day social structure. Nope is both thought-provoking and entertaining, similar to Peele’s earlier movies.
For starters, the symbolism prevalent throughout the movie is presented in a clever manner that both enhances the ambiguity of the alien and speaks on social issues. The opening scene of the movie shows a grotesque massacre of actors being eaten by their unhinged pet chimpanzee, Gordy, on set. Towards the end of the movie, viewers learn that one of the film’s main characters, Jupe, is the only survivor of the Gordy massacre. Jupe (Steven Yeun) is the owner of a nearby carnival that profits off of sightings of the same UFO that Otis Jr. and Emerald witness on their ranch. Jupe is the antagonist of the film, luring the UFO to his carnival (the reason Emerald and Otis Jr. see the saucer so frequently). Jupe acquired fame as a childhood star and he, along with Gordy, represented the horrors of the film industry. While the film industry believed they had tamed and domesticated Gordy, they were ultimately unable to control an animal meant to be in the wild. The message is, while you can try and cover up something vulgar in the film industry, the truth will ultimately always come out.
Along with the symbolism of Gordy, the alien itself helps Peele explicate the hardships of being a minority in the film industry. Jupe summons the alien to impress his paying customers, all white people who have traveled to the carnival to have a “Hollywood” experience. While the white people sit back, relax, and watch the alien’s arrival as if the audience were watching a movie. Jupe makes a large profit at the expense of Otis Jr. and Emerald who are left to deal with the terrible things the alien does to their ranch. Peele is obviously trying to show that black people often do not get the credit they deserve, particularly in the film industry.
Overall, Nope does not disappoint. Jordan Peele proves yet again that he can create a masterpiece film whilst delivering social commentary on racial issues in America. The movie is a must-see for horror fanatics and anyone who wants to see a modern-day twist on a classic alien movie.
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