Nope
Year: 2022
Genre: Horror/Sci-fi
Duration: 2 Hours 15 Minutes
Director: Jordan Peele
Jordan Peele is back with another horror flick, being a fan of his since his Comedy Central days on the Key & Peele show, I’ve always been impressed with Peele’s writing and directing style since stepping into the horror scene with Get Out (2017) and his follow up film Us (2019). Nope is a thrilling and eccentric horror film whilst leaning into sci-fi mystery, wonder and awe.
Nope tells the story of OJ Haywood (Daniel Kaluuya) and Emerald Haywood (Keke Palmer), owners of a horse ranch must cope with the aftermath of losing their father. Strange, supernatural and horrific things keep happening around the ranch and the horses. Nope flips the script on the stereotypical alien sci-fi genre. In true Jordan Peele fashion, this film incorporates modern socio-economic and political issues but not in a campy, in-your-face way.
Whilst the story mainly plays out on barren farmland with mountain scapes in the background, Jordan Peele’s directing style adds character and substance to the nothingness, in a way that makes you feel a little claustrophobic. Being subjected to the house, or the stables, or the vast land, you still feel enclosed and unable to escape the terror that looms over the Haywood Hollywood Horse Ranch… even though you could surely just move away from the area, the intrigue is compelling.
So I say a big YES to NOPE!
8/10
Prey
Year: 2022
Genre: Thriller/Sci-fi/Action
Duration: 1 Hours 39 Minutes
Director: Dan Trachtenberg
Set 300 years ago, this is the origin of the Predator who visits the Comanche Nation. The story follows the trials, falls and triumphs of Naru, a highly skilled practitioner in the art of herbal medicine, tracking and hunting, who aims to gain the recognition and respect of her tribe.
Now this, THIS is how you write a lead female character without forcing a “women are powerful” message. Whilst this is an underlying trope in the film, Prey decides to show not tell. We see for ourselves on multiple occasions her level of skill in medicine, tracking and hunting, and whilst she is adamant on doing everything herself to prove herself, we the audience genuinely root for her to succeed.
The Predator in the film is forever evolving, and with every new director comes a new interpretation of the classic and horrific character. The film showcases easy to follow action, but always keeps us on our toes.
I don’t have too much to say about this film to be honest, the horror themes are definitely present but I’d place it more as an action movie that dips its toes into nostalgic horror themes. Definitely a film worth checking out.
7/10
