Trailerblazing -- Nope

Nope (2022) - July 22, 2022 - directed by Jordan Peele - starring Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Brandon Perea, Michael Wincott, Steven Yeun

 

Following the racial horror of Get Out and the somber claustrophobia of Us, Jordan Peele brings a story of apparently not-so-friendly aliens to the table. There have not been many alien thrillers lately -- the tense Dark Skies is the only one that comes to mind -- and the cinema world feels starved for an entry from this subgenre, so Peele's piece is here just in time. The director uses silences, spaces and camerawork to maximum effect, which should make this tale uniquely frightening. Hoyte Van Hoytema's (Interstellar, Tenet) cinematography is gorgeous and I can already see some potentially iconic night shots. Kaluuya is quickly becoming a Peele stalwart, Palmer has been doing interesting and diverse work and Wincott always brings something extra to his portrayals. It is also good to see Yeun working with Peele again, following the haunting 'A Traveler' episode from "The Twilight Zone"'s latest incarnation. Nope is one of those must-see summer films that might make you scream and occasionally laugh, and one that will definitely make you check out the skies after it ends.