Jordan Peele quickly established himself as the horror director and writer to look out for after his Oscar-winning film Get Out took the movie world by storm, and he continues to be one of the best in the business. His latest film, Nope, cements itself as the horror event of summer 2022. In his latest film, which Peele wrote, directed, and produced, the ancestors of the first man shown in a moving picture -- OJ Haywood (Daniel Kaluuya) and Emerald Haywood (Keke Palmer) -- witness some strange happenings in the valley they reside in. The two of them, along with several other characters, investigate these happenings, making a horrific, life-changing discovery.
It's best to go into this film without spoilers, so in short, Nope is not only the best movie of the summer, it's also the best horror movie of the year. Seeing it in theaters is a must, as the sound design immerses audiences directly into the film, making them feel as tense as the leading characters as they try to figure out what is out there and how to survive.
For those wanting a little more detail about Nope before seeing it, this film is a visual and auditory treat. The effects are not only well executed, but they create something utterly unique. That, accompanied by the soundscape and score, highlights how important and compelling the technical side of filmmaking is. Major props are due to the FX department and the sound department, as well as cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema, who captures something so original visually that it is destined to become iconic. One scene particularly stands out, and given how Van Hoytema shoots this location and how Nicholas Monsour edits this shaking moment, this scene is one for the horror/sci-fi books.
There is such a clear love for film from all departments in Nope. That love for movies transcends genre, and Nope delivers a suspenseful horror film but also an engaging sci-fi flick and a thrilling action movie. Some chase sequences are heart-pounding, and while Peele should continue to make more horror and sci-fi films, it's clear from this movie that he would excel in the action genre as well. Plus, it's a horror movie that doesn't rely on overused jump scares, instead building the tension to the point that it feels as if nowhere is safe.
His script is also tight, as one can see all the pieces come together as Nope nears its climax. Even the storyline that seems most distant from the main plot still adds layers to the characters involved and sets up a nice parallel between Kaluuya's OJ and Steven Yeun's Ricky "Jupe" Park. His script also maintains the humor Peele is known for embedding into his horror movies, and Kaluuya and Palmer deliver the jokes expertly.
Kaluuya and Palmer also steal the show. They feel so realistic and likable, and it'll be near impossible not to root for them. Their sibling relationship is also endearing, and their performance captures how much they care for one another, despite their difference. Palmer is charming and witty, while Kaluuya delivers a horror hero that lives up to the legacy of his character's ancestors.
Nope is exactly what horror and sci-fi fans have been wanting -- a new story that pushes the boundaries of the genre and film at large. It captures the same thrills, tension, and strong characters of movies like Jaws, while also setting itself up to be as iconic as sci-fi movies like Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Alien. Peele has done it again, and viewers should do themselves a favor and see Nope, one of the best films of the year.
Nope hits theaters July 22.