Nope

That said, Nope has a lot to love, starting with the cast. Kaluuya, the star of Get Out, shows his range here, playing a quiet, awkward person but not in a gruff or angry manner. The actor imbues OJ with a lot of heart, even if he doesn’t know how to articulate his thoughts very well. Palmer owns every scene she’s in, bringing energy and humor to Em that is endearing and fun.

Yeun, who was terrific in the underrated Mayhem, makes the most of a monologue he gives about an SNL skit. Yes, seriously, and it is one of the best scenes in the film. Michael Wincott has a substantial role in which his gravely voice and stern demeanor are used to excellent effect. Every film is improved by the presence of Keith David, no matter how little screen time he gets. Here, he has less than 10 minutes worth and nails it.

“…Peele’s best-looking film…”

On top of that, Nope is Peele’s best-looking film, as Hoyte Van Hoytema’s cinematography is captivating and arresting. He makes the desert both a beautiful locale and a dangerous threat all at once. The numerous shots of the characters’ looking up at the clouds hoping to glimpse whatever is there, are majestic and creepy at the same time.

Also, the comedic sci-fi tale is chockful of small details that add to the overall theming and messaging in unexpected ways. For example, whenever a character is watching something on television, it is almost always a clip of an animal devouring its prey or being hostile in some other way. Once the reveal of the aliens’ motivations comes to light, this element and the chapter names (based on various horses and animals important to the characters) gain significant meaning.

Nope isn’t quite the slam dunk Peele’s previous features were, as what he’s saying with some characters gets lost in the spectacle. But oh, what a spectacle it is to behold. The film is gorgeous, with stunning special effects and impeccable cinematography. The cast all perfectly play their roles, and the mix of humor, adventure, and drama works wonders.