Beloved writer-director Jordan Peele released his much-anticipated third film, Nope, in the summer of 2022. This sci-fi horror movie takes the genres to new levels. Peele described the film as “a bigger adventure than I’ve ever tried to tell” and his “most ambitious” work to date.
Working with acclaimed cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema, Peele made Nope the first horror film shot on IMAX cameras. The film amazed fans, exceeded expectations, and sparked extensive discussion about film and its role in our lives.
What Is Nope About?
Peele describes Nope as “the great American UFO story.” The film challenges media ideas about aliens and offers a unique take on extraterrestrial life. Nope examines spectacle and attention, starting with the first moving picture by Eadweard Muybridge from the 19th century.
This historical reference highlights how the black jockey in Muybridge’s work was overlooked, while the white photographer gained fame. The jockey is revealed to be the great-great-great-grandfather of the film’s main characters, siblings OJ Haywood (Daniel Kaluuya) and Emerald Haywood (Keke Palmer).
In Nope, spectacle grows into a central theme, reflected in the alien “monster” that appears as a UFO haunting Agua Dulce, California, and the Haywood ranch. This UFO consumes everything it sees through an opening that acts like both a mouth and an eye.
For example, footage shown during the credits features the UFO’s lens-like eye looking at the ground. The creature’s final form, a large, angelic-like entity, contrasts with the initial saucer shape, showing Peele’s unique vision of the alien.
According to Caltech professor John Dabiri, Peele wanted a distinct rectangular eye shape, which is unusual in biology. In the opening credits, the view from this eye transitions to Muybridge’s footage, linking the film’s themes of observation and erasure.
Peele discusses the film’s exploration of African-American history, focusing on how Black people have been sidelined in the industry.
As Peele notes, “We know who Eadweard Muybridge is, but we don’t know who this guy on the horse is.” This historical erasure is a central theme as the characters try to reclaim their place in history and use their own cameras to capture the UFO.
Who Are the Characters in Nope?
The film’s main antagonist is the UFO named Jean Jacket, which terrorizes the Agua Dulce valley. Initially, it appears as a classic flying saucer but is revealed to be a single entity that feeds on everything it can. Jean Jacket’s intelligence is unclear, but it reacts strongly to being watched.
Its final transformation into a massive, angelic creature challenges traditional alien imagery, with its central orifice resembling a camera lens.
The central characters are the Haywood siblings, OJ and Emerald. After their father Otis’s mysterious death, they continue his legacy as the only Black horse trainers in Hollywood. OJ is serious and reserved, with a deep understanding of horses, while Emerald is lively and confident.
They decide to capture evidence of Jean Jacket to both show the world and profit from the footage. They aim to get the “Oprah shot,” a perfect image of the UFO.
Ricky “Jupe” Park (Steven Yeun), a former child star, runs a theme park called “Jupiter’s Claim” and exploits Jean Jacket by using horses as bait.
Jupe’s obsession with fame and his past trauma drive him to use the UFO for personal gain. Jupe’s story is linked to a traumatic childhood incident involving a chimpanzee actor, Gordy, which he recounts with a mix of detachment and dark humor.
Other Key Characters
Angel Torres (Brandon Perea) is a tech-savvy young man who helps the Haywoods with their cameras. Initially uninterested, he becomes involved in their mission after learning about Jean Jacket.
Antlers Holst (Michael Wincott) is a cinematographer who joins the Haywoods to film the UFO but ends up being killed by it while trying to get the perfect shot.
Who Is the Real Villain in Nope?
The true villain in Nope can be seen as either Jean Jacket or Jupe. Jean Jacket terrorizes the characters and consumes everything in its path, while Jupe exploits both the UFO and the horses for his benefit.
Jupe’s misguided belief in his own destiny and his attempt to control the alien reflect the film’s critique of the American dream and its darker implications.
Is Nope Scary?
Nope features a terrifying alien creature and unsettling moments that will keep audiences on edge. Jean Jacket’s aggressive nature and mysterious powers contribute to the film’s frightening atmosphere.
The movie also explores how trauma and personal gain can alter character and behavior, with Jupe’s actions highlighting the manipulation of traumatic events for profit.
Who Dies in Nope?
The film starts with the mysterious death of Otis Haywood. Later, during Jupe’s show, Jean Jacket consumes the audience and several characters.
A TMZ reporter and cinematographer Antlers Holst also fall victim to the UFO. In the end, Jean Jacket is defeated after trying to eat a balloon, and Emerald captures the “Oprah shot” on an old-fashioned camera located at the bottom of a well.
