Nathaniel Clark, Features Editor

nuc5002@psu.edu

(SPOILER WARNING)
In the middle of summer, Jordan Peele’s third directorial work NOPE was released. Taking advantage of being shot with IMAX cameras, the film features massive vistas of the California hills around the fictional Haywood Hollywood Horse Ranch and Jupiter’s Claim.
The film follows siblings OJ (Daniel Kaluuya) and Em (Keke Palmer) Haywood as they attempt to capture evidence of alien life after both notice signs of extraterrestrial life around their family’s horse ranch. Enlisting help from Fry’s Electronics employee Angel (Brandon Perea) and others, the Haywood siblings attempt to take a full image of this Unidentified Flying Object, labeling it as the “Oprah” shot. Outside the main narrative is Ricky “Jupe” Park (Steven Yeun) and his western-themed amusement park Jupiter’s Claim. Making a new alien-themed show for his park, the ex-sitcom actor was more accurate than he could have ever expected.
While this film is listed as a horror, it overall fits better in the thriller genre. Not directly aiming to scare you with jumpscares, NOPE’s cinematic nature and content places fear in its audience. For example, the Gordy scene which opens the film is foreign and off-putting, immediately changing the expectations of the audience. The film continues for another 30 minutes until the audience learns anything about what they witnessed in the opener.
A story in five parts, NOPE is another sign of Jordan Peele’s directorial prowess. With excellent shot composition and an off-kilter story, the film is one you should not miss.