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Film Review: “Nope” (2022)

Jordan Peele’s new sci-fi movie “Nope” puts a quirky twist on the UFO-abducting-livestock trope in alien movies. It’s scary, but also funny and super weird (in the best possible way).

OJ (Daniel Kaluuya) and Emerald Haywood (Keke Palmer) are horse-rancher siblings living in an isolated California desert town. When strange things start happening at the ranch, they suspect that extraterrestrial creatures are to blame, and set out to capture footage of the phenomenon. The duo recruits tech salesman Angel (Brandon Perea) and cinematographer Antlers Holst (Michael Wincott) to help obtain as much video as they can of the mysterious creature.

The story in “Nope” is beautifully crafted. There’s all these parts that don’t seem interconnected at first – how could a vicious chimp attack on the set of a 1998 sitcom be connected to a dangerous UFO in the present day? As ridiculous as it all seems, everything is related to each other in a way that makes sense. However, some of it is a little confusing at first, and won’t make sense until later, after you’ve had some time to let it marinate in your mind. Like how the story can be interpreted as more than just a creative horror film, but also a social commentary about the human obsession with the extraordinary.

“Nope” boasts incredible visuals, particularly of the UFO – dubbed “Jean Jacket” by OJ and Emerald – which is absolutely terrifying. It’s not really a spaceship, but more of a colossal carnivorous creature. When it gobbles up its victims, it unfolds into this giant, terrifying figure reminiscent of a plastic grocery bag. Kaluuya and Palmer were amazing as the Haywood siblings; I particularly loved Palmer’s performance of Emerald. She’s spunky and excitable, contrasting against OJ, who takes his job carrying on the legacy of his family’s ranch very seriously.

This one isn’t like most alien movies in the sense that it’s scary in a more subtle way. It’s got some great jump scares, but the actual UFO is scary in a different way – it’s HUGE, and abducts people. The actual aliens aren’t like the bug-eyed creatures we’re accustomed to seeing in pop culture. “Nope” left me pleasantly surprised – it’s not the cliche “aliens are here to take over the world” story. Jean Jacket is out for blood!

Say yes to “Nope” this summer – this unconventional thriller comedy will leave you anxiously gazing at the skies when you step outside the movie theater!

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