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Spectacle and fame are at the core of Jordan Peele's latest film. From the enigmatic cold opening set during the recording of a classic sitcom or our initial introduction to the Haywood's as they are pitching their services as horse handlers for a movie all the way to the very climax of the film where the dream of fame ends up being a blessing or a curse to some of the characters; the one you never wake up from.
Nope follows siblings OJ and Emerald (Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer), the aforementioned horse handlers, as they struggle to make ends meet. That is until some weird occurrences and sightings of an alleged UFO presents an opportunity for them to gain both fame and fortune. But chasing that dream can be the reason for them to never wake up again.
There is something about Peele's work that still amazes me on this, his third film. It's a confidence and assuredness in his direction that makes you feel at ease with his work; at least in terms of the craft because the premise is still as eerie and intriguing as with his previous works. No matter the shot, you get the feeling that Peele knows what he's doing and that there is purpose in everything you see on the screen.
The story does get a bit out of his hands, though, at least for a bit. The pace is a bit patchy towards the second act and it does feel like the execution of some of its sublots isn't as effective as it could've been. Thankfully, aside from a skilled directorial hand, Peele can also count in a helluva talented cast to smooth any slight weakness the story might have. Kaluuya continues to impress with every film, but Palmer is a scene-stealer.
Steven Yeun is also great, although his subplot is one where I feel the integration with the rest could've been better. He's one of those characters that I wish I could've read or seen more of. The cast is rounded out by Brandon Perea and Michael Wincott as the two acquaintances hired by the Haywood's to help them record and document these "UFO" sightings.
And that is the common denominator through all these characters; their chase of the dream. To have a successful business, to make it big in the Hollywood system, to capture something that people have never seen and live to share it. Spectacle and fame. With Nope being his third film, Jordan Peele surely seems to be chasing that dream hard. Not sure if he'll ever "wake up" from it, but right now, he's at the top of the mountain, and all eyes are on him.
Grade:
NOPE
(2022, Peele)
A film about aliens or alien abductions
(2022, Peele)
A film about aliens or alien abductions
"This dream you're chasing, the one where you end up at the top of the mountain, all eyes on you, it's the dream you never wake up from."
Spectacle and fame are at the core of Jordan Peele's latest film. From the enigmatic cold opening set during the recording of a classic sitcom or our initial introduction to the Haywood's as they are pitching their services as horse handlers for a movie all the way to the very climax of the film where the dream of fame ends up being a blessing or a curse to some of the characters; the one you never wake up from.
Nope follows siblings OJ and Emerald (Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer), the aforementioned horse handlers, as they struggle to make ends meet. That is until some weird occurrences and sightings of an alleged UFO presents an opportunity for them to gain both fame and fortune. But chasing that dream can be the reason for them to never wake up again.
There is something about Peele's work that still amazes me on this, his third film. It's a confidence and assuredness in his direction that makes you feel at ease with his work; at least in terms of the craft because the premise is still as eerie and intriguing as with his previous works. No matter the shot, you get the feeling that Peele knows what he's doing and that there is purpose in everything you see on the screen.
The story does get a bit out of his hands, though, at least for a bit. The pace is a bit patchy towards the second act and it does feel like the execution of some of its sublots isn't as effective as it could've been. Thankfully, aside from a skilled directorial hand, Peele can also count in a helluva talented cast to smooth any slight weakness the story might have. Kaluuya continues to impress with every film, but Palmer is a scene-stealer.
Steven Yeun is also great, although his subplot is one where I feel the integration with the rest could've been better. He's one of those characters that I wish I could've read or seen more of. The cast is rounded out by Brandon Perea and Michael Wincott as the two acquaintances hired by the Haywood's to help them record and document these "UFO" sightings.
And that is the common denominator through all these characters; their chase of the dream. To have a successful business, to make it big in the Hollywood system, to capture something that people have never seen and live to share it. Spectacle and fame. With Nope being his third film, Jordan Peele surely seems to be chasing that dream hard. Not sure if he'll ever "wake up" from it, but right now, he's at the top of the mountain, and all eyes are on him.
Grade: