What if I told you, that today, you’d leave here, different?
That cryptic line delivered by Steven Yuen’s character sums up the experience I had walking out of my screening of Jordan Peele’s latest thriller, “NOPE”. I went in blind. And left changed. It’s a singular experience that will stick with you.
“Nope,” which opened on 3,785 theaters in the U.S. and Canada, is the most expensive film Peele has made to date with a reported $68 million production budget, not accounting for marketing and promotion costs. “Us” cost around $20 million to produce, while “Get Out” was made for only $4.5 million. Both films ultimately made over $255 million worldwide.
NOPE is an original film experience I haven’t had in a long time. I’m not going to spoil it for you. Be careful you avoid spoilers. You don’t want to know how it opens. What it’s really about or the magnificent ending.
See it in IMAX. NOPE explains itself. There is always unexplained phenomenon. It’s terrifying. Beautiful cinematography. It’s shot all in one valley, the cinematographer is one of the characters in the film.
Peele is the heir to Kubrick and Hitchcock. There is a cinematic language here that transcends synergies of both critical & popular appeal much like the aforementioned directors. Writer & Director Jordan Peele is another masterful storyteller. And this NOPE “brand” will be a potential cash cow for Universal . The “Jupiter’s Claim” set is already a permanent fixture on Universal Studios tour much like the Bates Motel.
The Heywood family are the descendants of First person to appear on film, a black man on horseback, which mirrors Hollywood’s complex and unfortunate history with black creatives and barriers Jordan Peele has to navigate and breaks with his meteoric career.
Jordan Peele ’s thriller NOPE topped the North American charts in its first weekend in theaters with an estimated $44 million in ticket sales, Universal Pictures said Sunday. Though it doesn’t come close to the $71 million debut of “Us,” it is still significantly impressive for an original, R-rated film — and the biggest of the pandemic for an original screenplay.
“Otis” (Daniel Kaluuya) & “Emerald” (Keke Palmer) James, on set in NOPE
NOPE is unexpectedly very funny. Peele’s comedy background is readily apparent. He gets the balance right that gives you breaks from the tension but never undercuts the overall menacing tone of the film.
Peele’s NOPE is on track for Oscar craft awards like Mad Max Fury Road & Dune. But it will be nominated for best picture and best original screenplay if there is any justice. Also, best supporting actresses for Keke Palmer. She’s the heart of the film and this ingenue is a force of nature.
Ms. Palmer’s performance is complex, she’s straight up irresponsible at times, her frivolities greatly contrast Kaluuya’s portrayal of somber stead fast elder brother. There’s friction between these two siblings that is balanced by the love and deep respect they share for their family’s legacy as horse trainers In Hollywood and each other that is displayed artfully.
Micheal Willcot , Steven Yuen and the ensemble cast of supporting characters are wonderfully realized. See it on the biggest screen. IMAX or DOLBY premium screens mandatory.
Daniel Kaluuya, who won an Oscar for Judas & the Black Messiah is a strong silent type. He’s a western archetype. Protecting his fathers legacy. The Heywood family are the descendants of of the first person to appear on film, a black man on horseback, which mirrors Hollywood’s complex and unfortunate history with black creatives and barriers Jordan Peele has had to navigate and breaks with his meteoric career.
NOPE is the best movie of the year.
Period. (If you MUST see the final trailer, I’ve provided it below.)
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all images courtesy of Universal
