Greetings Earthlings and fellow film enthusiasts! I think it’s about time we talk about the talented mind of Jordan Peele and everyone’s favorite film of his, so buckle up because we’re diving into Jordan Peele’s Nope, a film that’s far more than just an edge-of-your-seat thriller. This cinematic gem is a masterclass in storytelling, it’s a rich tapestry woven with complex themes, particularly the exploitation of animals and the continued exploration of Afro-Surrealism. As a film major with a deep passion for storytelling the layers of complexity that challenge our perceptions and provoke deeper thought, I found Nope to be a showcase in the subversion of genre expectations while delivering a thought-provoking critique of the entertainment industry and societal exploitation. Ready to explore how Nope flips those expectations and presents such a sharp critique? Let’s get into it!
The Spectacle and the Beast: A Critique of Animal Exploitation
At its core, Nope grapples with the theme of exploitation, particularly in the context of animals within the entertainment industry. The film follows siblings OJ (Daniel Kaluuya) and Emerald Haywood (Keke Palmer), who run a struggling family horse ranch that supplies horses to Hollywood productions. This setup is no coincidence. Peele deliberately places the Haywoods—descendants of the first motion picture jockey, a Black man—at the center of a narrative that scrutinizes how Hollywood exploits not just people but animals for profit.
The film’s most explicit commentary on animal exploitation is embodied in the subplot involving Gordy, a chimpanzee who goes berserk on the set of a 90s sitcom. This scene, though brief, is haunting. Peele uses it to encapsulate the dangers of pushing animals beyond their limits for the sake of entertainment. Gordy’s violent outburst is a direct result of the pressures and unnatural environment forced upon him, serving as a metaphor for the broader exploitation at play.
This subplot mirrors the main narrative thread involving an extraterrestrial entity that OJ and Emerald encounter—a creature they attempt to capture on film, hoping to profit from the spectacle. The entity itself can be seen as an embodiment of the commodification of nature, with the Haywoods initially viewing it as just another wild animal to be tamed, controlled, and monetized. However, as the story unfolds, the realization sets in that this creature, like Gordy, cannot be subdued or exploited without dire consequences.
Afro-Surrealism: Peele’s Signature Lens
Nope is also a continuation of Peele’s exploration of Afro-Surrealism, a genre that blends elements of Black culture with surreal, often nightmarish, scenarios. Peele has long been interested in how the Black experience can be portrayed through a surrealist lens, using this genre to address issues of race, identity, and trauma.
In the film, Afro-Surrealism is most apparent in the way the Haywoods are situated within the larger narrative of Hollywood. Their family legacy is tied to the origins of cinema itself, yet they are relegated to the margins, their history erased and forgotten. This erasure is surreal in its own right—a commentary on how Black contributions to culture and history are often overlooked or deliberately omitted.
The film’s unsettling atmosphere, punctuated by moments of eerie calm and sudden terror, creates a surreal experience that mirrors the disorientation often felt by marginalized communities navigating spaces that weren’t built with them in mind. The Haywoods’ quest to capture the creature on film is a desperate attempt to reclaim agency and recognition in an industry that has historically exploited and discarded them.
Moreover, the character of Jupe (Steven Yeun), a former child star who survived the Gordy incident, adds another layer to the film’s Afro-Surrealism. Jupe’s attempt to monetize his trauma by turning it into a theme park attraction is both absurd and tragic, highlighting the surreal lengths to which people will go to survive in a world that commodifies their pain.
Peele’s Masterful Subversion of Genre
What makes Nope truly remarkable is how Peele subverts the expectations of a typical horror or science fiction film. Instead of relying on jump scares or a straightforward alien invasion plot, Peele crafts a narrative that is as much about the characters’ internal struggles as it is about the external threat they face. The real horror in Nope isn’t just the alien entity—it’s the exploitation, the erasure of history, and the relentless pursuit of profit at the expense of humanity and nature.
Peele’s direction is meticulous, with every shot contributing to the film’s broader themes. The vast, open landscapes of the ranch juxtaposed with the claustrophobic interiors of the Haywood home create a sense of isolation and entrapment. The sound design, too, plays a crucial role in building tension, with the eerie silence of the ranch punctuated by the unsettling sounds of the creature.
The performances in Nope are equally compelling. Daniel Kaluuya delivers a nuanced portrayal of OJ, a man burdened by the weight of his family’s legacy and the pressures of survival. Keke Palmer’s Emerald is the perfect foil to OJ’s stoicism—energetic, ambitious, and fiercely determined to carve out her own place in the world. Their dynamic is central to the film’s emotional core, grounding the story in a deep sense of familial loyalty and shared struggle.
Conclusion: A Modern Masterpiece
Nope is a film that demands to be unpacked, discussed, and revisited. Jordan Peele has once again proven his ability to blend genre with social commentary, creating a film that is both entertaining and intellectually stimulating. By tackling themes of animal exploitation and Afro-Surrealism, Peele invites us to question the systems of power that shape our world and the ways in which they exploit both nature and marginalized communities.
In a cinematic landscape often dominated by formulaic blockbusters, Nope stands out as a bold, original work that challenges its audience to think critically about the stories we tell and the histories we erase. It’s a film that resonates on multiple levels, offering something new with each viewing—a testament to Peele’s genius as a filmmaker and storyteller.
Written By Chloe Kaleah Stewart