As a die-hard fan of both Jordan Peele and classic horror films, I can confidently say that “Nope” is the love child of Steven Spielberg and Jordan Peele’s cinematic genius. This film has not only paid homage to the iconic “Jaws,” but it has also managed to carve out its own unique niche in the horror genre.
In a fresh take on remakes, they don’t necessarily have to follow the original stories or reintroduce old characters. Jordan Peele demonstrated this when he “remade” Jaws, although it was more of a spiritual successor. The 2022 film Nope is an example, as it bears a strong resemblance to Steven Spielberg’s classic, despite not being set in the same universe and lacking both a shark and a beach.
In the year to come, the iconic movie “Jaws” will mark its golden jubilee. The chilling tale of pursuing a man-eating great white shark continues to send shivers down spines just as effectively. Though it may not strictly fall under the horror genre, the palpable tension and terror it invokes in viewers remains unparalleled. Numerous filmmakers have drawn inspiration from “Jaws,” but none have managed to emulate its style quite like Jordan Peele’s tribute to cosmic horror, titled “Nope.
Jaws And Nope Are Connected From The Start
It’s hard to miss the similarities between the films Jaws and Nope at their core. Both stories revolve around a small group of individuals, usually 3-4, who are determined to halt a terrifying, man-eating menace. While Jaws presents this danger as a shark acting as an evil force in a more realistic manner, Jean Jacket from Nope is a colossal UFO that later proves to be a predatory organism. This plotline shares some similarities with Steven Spielberg’s alien-themed thriller Close Encounters of the Third Kind, considering Jordan Peele, the director of Nope, openly admires Spielberg’s work.
Character Connections Between Nope and Jaws
In many instances, a story is more about its characters than the events that unfold, which is why some critics refer to movies like “Nope” as “Space Jaws.” The Haywood siblings, OJ (played by Daniel Kaluuya) and Em (Keke Palmer), can be seen as parallel characters to Chief Brody from “Jaws“. They take it upon themselves to halt a dangerous menace that threatens their ranch or town. Much like how Brody had marine expert Hooper, OJ and Em find assistance from Angel Torres, an electronics store employee who aids them by installing cameras and ultimately becomes their ally. Similar to both Hooper and Torres, they place themselves in harm’s way, using themselves as bait – one in a watertight cage, the other covered in barbed wire, serving as actual sustenance for the creature.
But the most obvious character parallel to Jaws is Quint, who is essentially Nope’s Antlers Holst. The veteran nature documentary cinematographer’s gravelly voice and haunting storytelling style is almost identical to the seasoned shark hunter from Jaws. Another clear character influence comes with Amity Island’s Mayor Larry Vaughn, who is quite similar to Jupe in Nope. Steven Yeun’s character tries to profit from the UFO and turn it into a spectacle. Similarly, the mayor in Jaws is more concerned about his town’s image and losing revenue from closing the beaches, despite the threat of a man-eating shark.
How Jordan Peele Borrows Suspense Tropes From Jaws
In a similar vein to how numerous films have mimicked the plot elements or characters from the iconic movie Jaws, it’s quite simple. But what sets Nope apart from movies like Meg and Deep Blue Sea in terms of feeling like a sequel or remake is Jordan Peele’s clever application of familiar horror and suspense techniques. Just as Steven Spielberg skillfully kept the shark hidden for most of the original film, Peele follows suit by not revealing the true monster in the promotional materials for Nope. Instead, the movie presents a cloud that transforms into a UFO, which turns out to be an ethereal jellyfish-like entity floating in the sky. By keeping the monsters under wraps, both films build an atmosphere of fear by tapping into our primal dread of the unknown.
Fans of the movie “Jaws” will find numerous subtle tributes in the film “Nope.” Intriguingly, both movies introduce their mysterious entities in a similar way at the start. The initial scene of “Jaws” is shot from the shark’s perspective swimming underwater, and Jordan Peele cleverly replicates this in “Nope” by showing the alien’s point of view from within its throat. Both films commence with deaths without initially revealing the culprit. A more playful reference appears when the children trick OJ wearing alien costumes, much like how kids in “Jaws” caused panic on the beach using plastic shark fins. Additionally, the shark is tracked using bright yellow floating barrels, and “Nope” mirrors this with the colorful flags attached to the horse mannequin that the alien devours.
Nope Is More Than Just References And Homages
This film doesn’t just pay tribute to classics like Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind; it also references Jurassic Park, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, M. Night Shyamalan’s Signs, the 1933 King Kong, The Wizard of Oz, and Neon Genesis Evangelion. Additionally, a nod to The Shining is present in the scene where the ranch house is drenched with blood, reminiscent of that iconic horror film.
Nevertheless, the director of “Get Out” demonstrates his unique creativity by transcending tributes and stereotypes. His movie delves into a wider topic about humanity’s unyielding chase for visual excitement and the part exploitation plays in this pursuit. He also incorporates an additional storyline with the chilling Gordy the Chimp incident, which unfolds within a setting reminiscent of Saturday Night Live.
Essentially, Jean Jacket from Nope shares a striking resemblance with Jaws’ shark, but this time soaring through the skies. Director Peele does not shy away from being overt as the supposed UFO transforms into a conscious, monstrous creature, boasting a wide-open maw and an array of…jaws. To draw another comparison, it’s these jaws that are destroyed in both stories – one using a compressed air tank, while the other employs a helium balloon to vanquish the beast.
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2024-10-22 01:06