Is Nope Scary?
- Camila Karalyte
- Oct 25, 2023
- 4 min read
How scary is Jordan Peele's Nope? We spill the spooky beans.
The uber-talented Jordan Peele has given the horror movie genre a new face lift over the last few years, and his refreshing take on the genre really hones in on actual horrors — like clones of ourselves, in-laws, and aliens. Quite a mix of material, right?
Rather than your traditional horror films that are full of jump scares, paranormal activity, or evil dolls, Peele paves a new path in the movie genre by leaving his viewers with a whole bunch of stuff to think about and reflect on. And thinking is one of the most scariest things…
After Peele's notable releases Get Out andUs, it's no wonder fans are asking 'is Nope scary?'. But we know for you die-hard fans of horror, nothing is too scary for you.
Check out the horror movies based on true stories if you really want a fright.
Is Nope scary?
Is Nope scary? Well, yes and no. Don't worry, no spoilers here.
Nope is labelled as a science-fiction comedy horror (a Jack of all trades, then) and does perfectly to combine the sci-fi theme with few horror tropes and sprinkling in a bit of comedy, mostly from the fab Keke Palmer who is truly the film's icon.
Much of Nope's horror is psychological, like a lot of Peele's work. Chuck in a whole bunch of satire too, and you have yourself a horror film that convinces you reality is scarier than any ghost story or serial killer.
The film has very few jump scares, maybe two at most, but there are certainly scenes that build anticipation and tension with low music or even silence during dark scenes. You find out pretty early on in the film what kind of story or plot will be explored, but it still manages to hold the viewer onto every word and scene — proving Peele to be a master of his craft.
In terms of gore, Nope isn't completely overwritten with the stuff, so if you're the squeamish type, you should be alright. However, there are two scenes (one involving a monkey and one with the main character's house) where there is quite a bit of blood, but most of this is positioned so it's not the main focus.
You'll find yourself laughing more than expected for a horror movie, thanks to the excellent dialogue and dynamics between the two siblings. There are also lots of more light-hearted and easy scenes, allowing you to catch your breath a bit.
Nope is not an ordinary alien film. With Peele as director, you've got to prepare for the unexpected, and that's exactly what Nope is. Unexpected. Focusing more on the characters' development and personal journeys, the alien/UFO theme is tastefully done and isn't your typical green-skin, webbed-finger 'creatures from outer space' type film. It's so much more than that. P.S. You'll be analysing each and every cloud once you've seen this film.
Spooky Beans rating
So, is Nope scary? Depends on what frightens you. While there are dark scenes and a little gore, the film is more unnerving than scary.
I'd give the film 3 out of 5 Spooky Beans — I love horror so didn't find it too scary but others who may be more prone to the heebie jeebies might find Nope scarier. The film as a whole though deserves a solid 5 out of 5 for it's overall excellence.
What is Nope about?
Nope is an American sci-fi horror film written, directed, and produced by the hilarious and talented Jordan Peele. You may know him from the comedy sketch show 'Key & Peele' which also features the funny Keegan-Michael Key.
Nope is about a man and his sister (Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer) who live out in their California horse ranch and discover something sinister in the skies above them and the nearby theme park — which profits from the mysterious phenomenon.
And like many other works of art, there's always a deeper meaning, or several in Nope's case. Although not explicitly mentioned by Peele himself, others were quick to jump onto the didacticism of the movie. From symbolism for the American Dream to the erasure of Black people throughout history, there's been dozens of different theories but TBH we might all be overthinking it. As Peele said himself 'I wanted to create a spectacle… the great American UFO story.' So, maybe it is just that.
Where to watch Nope?
If you haven't watched Nope yet, where have you been?
If you missed the film in cinemas, you're in luck. You can watch Nope on streaming platforms like:
Although you may need to purchase the film in some instances to be able to watch it.
Get free Amazon Prime for six months when you sign up with Student Beans.
How long is Nope?
For those of you who are wondering how long is Nope, it's a little longer than the average film.
The running time of Nope is 2 hours and 10 mins — so make sure you pee before you watch it and have snacks available to hand.
