Review: 'Nope' a Good Popcorn Movie, but That's All

Writer/director Jordan Peele's new sci-fi/horror hybrid "Nope" opens with a disturbing tragedy set during the filming of a '90s sitcom. We then cut to the present day, where OJ Haywood (Daniel Kaluuya) and his father Otis (Keith David) are working on their family's horse ranch that supplies trained horses for film and television productions. When a mysterious sound is heard and a preternatural event occurs, OJ's father is killed and OJ reluctantly takes over the business.

His sister Emerald (Keke Palmer) joins him, and while she takes over as the voice of the family biz, she has higher aspirations. Meanwhile, with CG becoming the go-to for animal "special fx," OJ goes about trying to sell off the last of the family's horses. Enter ex-childhood TV star Jupe Park (Steven Yeun), who now runs "Jupiter's Claim," a small western theme park, and has opted to buy the horses.

This brings us back to the opening of the film – the sitcom tragedy. You see, Jupe was part of the cast that endured this horrific event, and while he is still haunted by what happened, he also uses it to his benefit. That said, this subplot really has very little to do with the story of "Nope," and it's here where you realize Peele's new film has a lot of pieces that don't really go together.

Meanwhile, OJ and Emerald experience a UFO flying over their ranch. They go about trying to capture the thing on film so they can cash in on it. They enlist the help of Frye's Electronics salesman Angel Torres (Brandon Perea), who quickly realizes what they are buying all this camera equipment for.

This is about all of the plot of "Nope" I am willing to mention here, as there are a few reveals that come that might be thrilling to audiences. But for anyone waiting for something truly original, terrifying, or topical... don't. What is in the sky is not what you expect, but it's not all that monumental, either, and the way the film unfolds is never that clear or logical.

While the entire cast is good here (with Palmer making the biggest impression), not one character has an arc. OJ is quiet and moody even before his dad dies, and he's this way throughout the entire film. Palmer is wacky and funny and frenetic, but that never changes. There are a few tender moments between the siblings, but it still doesn't give us anything to root for them to overcome. There's a touching moment at the end that should pull our heartstrings, but it doesn't, because the moment hasn't been given any emotional heft.

Perea does his best with his slim role, but he's another one with a bare-bones backstory (he's been recently dumped). What does he have to learn in this film? Why should we care about him?

And then there's Michael Wincott as a commercial director named Antlers Hoist (huh?), whom Emerald contacts to see if he wants to join in on their UFO escapades. He disappears after the initial phone call and then reappears toward the finale. Because we don't know or care about him, he's just set dressing that serves no purpose.

That said, the film looks spectacular, with Hoyte Van Hoytema's cinematography a highlight. The film has rich colors and expansive scope, but that can't save an over-stuffed storyline that doesn't have enough emotional focus.

This has been the case with the last two Peele efforts. While "Get Out" is still his best work, even that film can fall apart if you look closely at the logic. He utilizes horror tropes, but not in ways that benefit or lift the story. They make for good trailer moments, but when you break them down in the plot, they don't fit.

In "Nope," he takes his best Steven Spielberg lessons, combines them with some early Shyamalan, and in doing so forgets to write compelling characters. He adds too many unnecessary subplots, creating a fractured narrative that never gels.

To be fair, there is some fun to be had here. Peele skillfully creates moments of suspense, and he keeps your attention. But ultimately, this could have been a more cohesive and clever film. This is a popcorn movie that will disappear shortly after you witness it.

"Nope" opens only in theaters July 22nd.