Coming from the genius mind behind Get Out and Us, Jordan Peele has done it again with his latest horror film NOPE. I’d usually start my review with a brief synopsis outlining what to expect from a watch, but I’m willing to make an exception on this one - viewers will definitely reap the full extent of rewards by going in completely dark. All prospective film-goers need to know is that it stars Peele alumni Daniel Kaluuya alongside the incomparable Keke Palmer and Steven Yeun.
There’s almost no downtime throughout NOPE’s 2 hour 15 minute runtime (which flies by, by the way), but at the same time, the film doesn’t gravitate towards a high-octane horror atmosphere either. Instead, you’re left feeling thoroughly and genuinely unsettled from the first 10 minutes until the final 10 seconds. Jump-scares aren’t Peele’s M.O. as any returning fan of Get Out or Us can attest to. Instead, it’s a slow burn of suspense that’s equal parts grounded in reality and out-of-this-world fantastical.
The acting performances are, as expected, knockouts. Kaluuya has proven himself in the past to be a stellar actor, and NOPE is no exception. Likewise, Keke Palmer is equal parts hilarious, exuberant, yet perfectly realistic as Emerald Haywood. Shoutout to supporting actors Brandon Perea and Michael Wincott who add a unique dynamic to the Haywood siblings as the film progresses on too.
Without taking the easy way out by saying ‘Yep to NOPE’ (I hate myself already), if you see any horror film this year - fan or no fan - make it Peele’s latest masterpiece.
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