Unveiling the Layers of Jordan Peele’s Nope

Greetings Earthlings and fellow film enthusiasts! I think it’s about time we talk about the talented mind of Jordan Peele and everyone’s favorite film of his, so buckle up because we’re diving into Jordan Peele’s Nope, a film that’s far more than just an edge-of-your-seat thriller. This cinematic gem is a masterclass in storytelling, it’s a rich tapestry woven with complex themes, particularly the exploitation of animals and the continued exploration of Afro-Surrealism. As a film major with a deep passion for storytelling the layers of complexity that challenge our perceptions and provoke deeper thought, I found Nope to be a showcase in the subversion of genre expectations while delivering a thought-provoking critique of the entertainment industry and societal exploitation. Ready to explore how Nope flips those expectations and presents such a sharp critique? Let’s get into it!

The Spectacle and the Beast: A Critique of Animal Exploitation

At its core, Nope grapples with the theme of exploitation, particularly in the context of animals within the entertainment industry. The film follows siblings OJ (Daniel Kaluuya) and Emerald Haywood (Keke Palmer), who run a struggling family horse ranch that supplies horses to Hollywood productions. This setup is no coincidence. Peele deliberately places the Haywoods—descendants of the first motion picture jockey, a Black man—at the center of a narrative that scrutinizes how Hollywood exploits not just people but animals for profit.

The film’s most explicit commentary on animal exploitation is embodied in the subplot involving Gordy, a chimpanzee who goes berserk on the set of a 90s sitcom. This scene, though brief, is haunting. Peele uses it to encapsulate the dangers of pushing animals beyond their limits for the sake of entertainment. Gordy’s violent outburst is a direct result of the pressures and unnatural environment forced upon him, serving as a metaphor for the broader exploitation at play.

This subplot mirrors the main narrative thread involving an extraterrestrial entity that OJ and Emerald encounter—a creature they attempt to capture on film, hoping to profit from the spectacle. The entity itself can be seen as an embodiment of the commodification of nature, with the Haywoods initially viewing it as just another wild animal to be tamed, controlled, and monetized. However, as the story unfolds, the realization sets in that this creature, like Gordy, cannot be subdued or exploited without dire consequences.

Afro-Surrealism: Peele’s Signature Lens

Nope is also a continuation of Peele’s exploration of Afro-Surrealism, a genre that blends elements of Black culture with surreal, often nightmarish, scenarios. Peele has long been interested in how the Black experience can be portrayed through a surrealist lens, using this genre to address issues of race, identity, and trauma.

In the film, Afro-Surrealism is most apparent in the way the Haywoods are situated within the larger narrative of Hollywood. Their family legacy is tied to the origins of cinema itself, yet they are relegated to the margins, their history erased and forgotten. This erasure is surreal in its own right—a commentary on how Black contributions to culture and history are often overlooked or deliberately omitted.

The film’s unsettling atmosphere, punctuated by moments of eerie calm and sudden terror, creates a surreal experience that mirrors the disorientation often felt by marginalized communities navigating spaces that weren’t built with them in mind. The Haywoods’ quest to capture the creature on film is a desperate attempt to reclaim agency and recognition in an industry that has historically exploited and discarded them.

Moreover, the character of Jupe (Steven Yeun), a former child star who survived the Gordy incident, adds another layer to the film’s Afro-Surrealism. Jupe’s attempt to monetize his trauma by turning it into a theme park attraction is both absurd and tragic, highlighting the surreal lengths to which people will go to survive in a world that commodifies their pain.

Peele’s Masterful Subversion of Genre

What makes Nope truly remarkable is how Peele subverts the expectations of a typical horror or science fiction film. Instead of relying on jump scares or a straightforward alien invasion plot, Peele crafts a narrative that is as much about the characters’ internal struggles as it is about the external threat they face. The real horror in Nope isn’t just the alien entity—it’s the exploitation, the erasure of history, and the relentless pursuit of profit at the expense of humanity and nature.

Peele’s direction is meticulous, with every shot contributing to the film’s broader themes. The vast, open landscapes of the ranch juxtaposed with the claustrophobic interiors of the Haywood home create a sense of isolation and entrapment. The sound design, too, plays a crucial role in building tension, with the eerie silence of the ranch punctuated by the unsettling sounds of the creature.

The performances in Nope are equally compelling. Daniel Kaluuya delivers a nuanced portrayal of OJ, a man burdened by the weight of his family’s legacy and the pressures of survival. Keke Palmer’s Emerald is the perfect foil to OJ’s stoicism—energetic, ambitious, and fiercely determined to carve out her own place in the world. Their dynamic is central to the film’s emotional core, grounding the story in a deep sense of familial loyalty and shared struggle.

Conclusion: A Modern Masterpiece

Nope is a film that demands to be unpacked, discussed, and revisited. Jordan Peele has once again proven his ability to blend genre with social commentary, creating a film that is both entertaining and intellectually stimulating. By tackling themes of animal exploitation and Afro-Surrealism, Peele invites us to question the systems of power that shape our world and the ways in which they exploit both nature and marginalized communities.

In a cinematic landscape often dominated by formulaic blockbusters, Nope stands out as a bold, original work that challenges its audience to think critically about the stories we tell and the histories we erase. It’s a film that resonates on multiple levels, offering something new with each viewing—a testament to Peele’s genius as a filmmaker and storyteller.

Written By Chloe Kaleah Stewart

The Women of Star Trek

Star Trek is one of the most iconic and long-lasting franchises out of any sci-fi series. When most people think of the most iconic characters they might picture Captain Kirk, Spock, Dr.McCoy, or even Scotty. These men seem to take a forward role and are the main focus of the original series and beyond while the women are given barely a notice. That is not to say the women of the series are not important, in fact, I think they are not given enough credit. In this article I want to speak on the women of Star Trek and how they deserve just as much notice as anyone else. From the iconic Lieutenant Uhura to Nurse Chapel these “background characters” provide important roles and dimension to the series. I want to discuss three women from the original series Janice Rand, Christine Chapel, and Nyota Uhura. The sad reality is that these were some of the only recurring female characters in the show, however, this should not diminish the value they all brought.

Janice Rand was introduced as a yeoman to Captain Kirk similar to an assistant in this world. Kirk is initially upset at being assigned a beautiful woman as his yeoman which is typical of his character as at times he is quite misogynistic. He is portrayed later as a ladies man who essentially has a lover every other episode. This is part of why Rand was written off the show in the first season as they did not want Kirk to be tied down. I believe this was a poor decision although the actress was struggling at the time. The decision to write off one of the only reoccurring female characters pushes back against the claim that the show was progressive at the time. Despite this Janice was important to many of the episodes she appeared in and took a main role in "The Enemy Within", "Charlie X", and "Miri". In the first, she fights off an evil Kirk after he confesses his attraction. In the second an adolescent teen, Charlie is attracted to her and she tells him she is much too old for him. He ignores her advice and continues to go after her and reveals he has the power to make others disappear. Eventually, he is angered by Rand ignoring him and makes her disappear. Eventually, she is returned and he is taken by an alien ship, it is not revealed what happens to him after. Finally in “Miri” she is infected by a disease that wipes out adults and finds comfort in Kirk. The children left on the planet are angered by this and one in particular, Miri, is especially upset as she likes Kirk. They kidnap Rand to attract Kirk but then realize what they did is wrong. They then return to the rest of the crew where McCoy has developed a cure. It is clear that Rand is almost exclusively used as an object of desire and for me, it is troubling that teens and children were often involved. She seemed to have little agency as even when she fought back another crewmate helped her escape in the end. It may be for the best that she was written off however I wish they could have continued her arc and helped her find her place on her own as a strong confident woman. All too often in this time period women were portrayed as sex symbols or background characters and Janice is sadly not an exception. 

The next recurring character appears in all three seasons however she was far from loved. Nurse Chapel was many things in the series, a romantic interest to Spock, head nurse, ex-fiance, and dedicated to Star Fleet. While the actress herself did not like the role due to how rigid it was I think it was important to have another consistent female character in the show. In many episodes, she was humiliated through her attraction to Spock which was a terrible way to portray a nurse who was ultimately dedicated to the ship above all else. However, she is also portrayed as helpful often being there to help McCoy with whatever he needed and following her important duties as the head nurse. The episode "What Are Little Girls Made Of?" is huge for her character and shows why she is now so dedicated to Star Fleet. In it, her fiance Dr. Roger Korby exploited android manufacturing technology on the planet he was on and interested his own personality into an android republica. She is horrified to discover this and due to her reaction, he kills himself. It is quite a dark episode and gives a bit of insight into her character. She truly dedicates herself to her job after this while also gaining a growing admiration and attraction towards Spock. In “Amok Time” she tries to help Spock through Pon Farr, a Vulcan mating ritual. He is angered but later thanks her for her kindness. She is pretty selfless in this episode, trying to help Spock through this ritual despite having feelings for him herself. Overall I think she is a more well-rounded character than Janice while still having some flaws. She is put in the stereotypical female role of a nurse however later on she is promoted to doctor which shows the advances newer series have made. Her feelings towards Spock are used negatively too often but it does allow her to show a range of emotions. She is a flawed but important character in the series.

Finally, we move on to Nyota Uhura the only female character who is considered part of the main cast. Throughout the series, her character has varying amounts of screen time ranging from almost nothing to large chunks of some episodes. In the series it is not even revealed she has a first name and her last name is based on the Swahili word uhuru wich means freedom. The show wanted to have more diversity and for the time this casting was quite progressive. However, all the women wear miniskirts as part of their uniform and seem a bit sexualized even in important roles. The actress wanted to leave after the first series initially but Marin Luther King Jr. convinced her to stay citing how important her role was for diversity. She is the chief communications officer and while some critique this as simply answering the phone it was an important role especially for a black woman to fill. Her character even partook in one of the first interracial kisses on screen. She was shown to be a complex character dedicated to her role but also enjoying other pastimes such as singing. Uhura is a very caring character who cares for all creatures which is shown in episodes like “The Trouble with Tribbles”. She may not get as much screen time in the series but she uses it to the best of her ability communicating through many important and dangerous situations ultimately saving the crew in some situations. Later on, she becomes even more important and has larger roles in the movies and later series. She is arguably one of the most important female characters of that time period and inspired many for decades to come.

The women of Star Trek are all too often cast aside, sexualized, or under-utilized, especially in the original series. This does not mean that they did not make an important mark in television, especially at the time. Janice may be used mainly as an object of desire but she is still caring and not as helpless as she is made out to be. Christine Chapel was cast aside quite often however she showed herself to be compassionate and dedicated to the crew. Uhura may not have even been given a first name initially but she proved herself invaluable to the starship and was a leap forward to diversity on the screen. These characters were the start of Star Trek’s attempt to dedicate the series to diversity. Luckily women became more important in later series but it is important not to discredit the first female characters in the series and their achievements. 

Written by Kat Reed

Alien Romulus: The Cosmic Terror Returns

Grab your space boots and buckle up! This is not a cosmic ride-it’s a full-blown intergalactic nightmare! The Alien franchise is gold to science fiction and horror, with Ridley Scott introducing this franchise to audiences in 1979. Over the decades, the series has evolved through sequels and prequels, each expanding this terrifying universe of out-of-this-world threats and human frailty. The franchise continues to captivate fans with anticipation for this upcoming film, which promises to introduce new characters and honor the legacy of the impact of the Alien universe. In this installment, a remote, bleak, eerie planet named Romulus is where a team of explorers walk into a force with more issues than your last Hinge date. Alien Romulus ventures into new territory while paying homage to the rich legacy of the Alien franchise, expanding the universe and other intriguing twists that will satisfy new and longtime fans. The film introduces a new chapter that follows a group of explorers who encounter a mysterious alien species on the titular planet Romulus. The story balances that rich suspense and action sequences with moments of eerie quiet that build tension in true Alien fashion. The suspense aboard the spaceship is packed with tension that’ll make you start praying for safety.  

The film’s cast delivers performances as terrifying as the interstellar adventure these characters embark on. The chemistry within the cast is strong and individually complements each other, driving the story forward with terror and anxiety. Cailee Spaney is truly a standout. 

Her character, Rain, blends strength and vulnerability to draw in the audience. Spaney captures the complexity of her role and enhances the film’s emotional core. The supporting cast also excels, with everyone contributing to the film’s immersive experience. Their performances are important to the film’s ability to create a believable and tense environment that ensures the stakes feel real and immediate. 

The genius behind this cosmic nightmare is Fede Alvarez, who has taken the Alien franchise and enhanced it into a rollercoaster of terror, displaying his creativity within the sci-fi action horror that makes you question every decision that led you to watch this film. His previous works, such as Evil Dead and Don’t Breathe, were already proof that he knows how to create a scare. However, in Alien Romulus, he raises the bar of this franchise, launches into the stratosphere, and makes sure it lands with a resounding and terrifying crash. Álaverz uses his signature flair for creating intense and immersive experiences. His direction brings a fresh and innovative way to showcase the Alien universe, efficiently combining high-stakes action scenes. The production design is striking and atmospheric. One can tell the team behind this took time to create these sets to enhance the menacing presence of the ship and its out-of-this-world inhabitants. This visually impressive entry maintains the high standards expected of the series. The film’s dark environments and suspense are a part of Álvarez’s directorial style that reflects his understanding of the genre and ability to capture this franchise in his light. Alien Romulus is a testament to his skill and creativity in reaffirming his status as a leading voice in the franchise.  

This film distinguishes itself from the other installments of the Alien franchise by embracing a daring and innovative storyline that explores unfamiliar stakes in contrast to the other films, which mainly concentrate on the Xenomorphs and their unrelenting hunt for humans for their reproduction. Alien Romulus presents a new alien race to complete with a frightening backstory. To heighten the feeling of fear and isolation, the film enhances the menacing planet Romulus. This installment offers an interesting and unpleasant experience that regenerates the series while paying tribute to its origins. It combines new and inventive storytelling with the tension that has come to define this brand.   

Alien Romulus is a massive, worthy addition to the Alien franchise. The film stays true to the core elements that fans love while introducing new concepts and seasoning the universe in new ways. The strong cast, fast-paced story, and impressive visuals make this film respect its predecessors while confidently carving out its own space in the sci-fi genre. Longtime fans and new to the series Alien Romulus are here to scare you, begging for the lights to stay on while sleeping.   

Written by Daniel Rojas