Minor spoilers for Nope precede. Read at your own risk.
You can say much about Jordan Peele's new horror classic, Nope. Jordan Peele weaves themes of exploitation, spectacle, and [bad] miracles with a Western and The X-Files extraterrestrial vibe. I mean, a former child actor turned carnival cowboy/rodeo master selling tickets for a noon-time show displaying extraterrestrial wonder while selling grey alien masks, t-shirts, and slushies? And then, there's a twist! Sounds like a wonderfully wacky episode of The X-Files to me.
But, more than that, Jordan Peele crafts a movie that stays with you. Not only is it a great experience in the moment with the use of sound, staging, and visuals, but it also is a gift that keeps on giving. As seen with Get Out and Us, Nope's message and intricate symbolism stay with you. I spent the better part of a day thinking through everything and finding deeper meaning in the scenes and dialogue.
For example, Stephen Yeun's character, Ricky "Jupe" Park, runs a Western theme park that capitalizes on the nostalgia for his iconic childhood role. However, hidden in his office is a macabre museum dedicated to a traumatic and tragic incident. Peele's use of flashbacks in this scene undercuts Jupe's blase and detached touristic pitch of the event. His performance for other people hides a much more traumatic view. Furthermore, how does Jupe's relationship with Gordy, his co-star chimpanzee, and survival of this traumatic event ultimately lead to his demise? It's fun to unpack.
Nope sits with you because it gives you something to think about. The film is a layered story about exploitation and spectacle in the modern media demonstrated through child stardom, animal actors, the advertising of tragic events, and possibly, even commentary on the American dream? And, of course, the hunt for a great picture of "Jean Jacket." With great visuals, a cool-Western vibe, and great performances from Keke Palmer, Daniel Kaluuya, Stephen Yeun, Brandon Perea, and Michael Wincott, Nope is a new horror classic that should be on everyone's watch list.