Jordan Peele’s “NOPE” (a sci-fi horror film, loaded with surprises and suspense) was one of the most anticipated movies of the summer, and I can honestly say, it lived up to the hype. “NOPE” is Peele’s 3rd feature film, and he most definitely took his time with this movie. When it came down to conveying his ideas and points, as well as taking bits and pieces from “US” and “Get Out,” Peele didn’t disappoint.

The beginning of the movie goes as follows: A movie horse trainer named OJ and his father (Otis Haywood) hear a weird sound in the sky one day. A sound that subsequently [SPOILER ALERT] leads to his father’s death. Six months pass, and OJ and his sister (Emerald Haywood, ‘EM’) find themselves struggling to keep the ranch alive after their father’s death. One night, one of the horses escapes its enclosure, and OJ sees something weird in the sky. OJ told his sister about it, and they both made it their mission to capture the flying object on film. However, they may have been unprepared for what they were about to come across.

 This film mainly consists of three main characters who were portrayed amazingly by their actors: Daniel Kaluuya, who played O.J., a silent man turned leader after his father’s death, Emerald Haywood, the film’s heart and main comedic relief, played by Keke Palmer, and Brandon Perea, who played Angel Torres. 

Oj and his sister set out to photograph the flying object, not only for their own safety but also in the hope that the image of the creature would help them become famous. (The two siblings later called this “the money shot”). In trying to achieve their money shot, [SPOILER ALERT] showed no concern for the creature and did everything in their power to capture it. They even went as far as harming the creature. This all leads up to Peele’s main point within the movie, that we as people treat things that don’t qualify as human disingenuously. “I love animals, but they’re a real reminder of the existential nightmare of ‘what does it mean to be human?’” said Fox interviewer Kevin McCarthy, “And they’re a reminder of how we treat anything that doesn’t qualify as human.”

 From the deer in the film “Get Out” to the rabbits in the film “US,” it’s safe to say that Peele loves incorporating animals into his movies to convey a message or to move the plot. In “Nope,” there were a variety of animals used in this movie. One that really stood out to me was the use of a chimpanzee. [SPOILER ALERT] There were numerous flashbacks to a sitcom called “Gordy’s Home. Within these flashbacks, you can see Gordy (a trained chimpanzee) getting exploited time after time until he “pops” into a blood-lust rage.

 Peele did a great job of conveying his ideas and points in some of the most original ways. He did such a great job that he’s leaving fans wondering about his next steps. As for his future in filmmaking, “I’ve got more.”Said Peele. “ I’m not just gonna have one more film, I’ve got more.“