Writer/director Jordan Peele gives us No 2022. This movie tells two different horror stories. Halloween is just around the corner and seems like a good time to talk No.
story
The Haywood family is a dynasty. They have been supplying Hollywood with well-trained horses since time immemorial. The film begins with Otis Haywood Sr talking to his son OJ about their near future.
As they spoke, screams filled the air and items began to fall to the ground. Something hits Otis and kills him. OJ and Elmerald Haywood then struggled to keep the family business afloat.
Their next-door neighbor, former child star Ricky “Jupe” Park, owns a western-themed park. Ricky’s backstory keeps coming up. He recalled several times the day the chimpanzee tried to kill a colleague.
OJ began selling trained horses to Jupe.
Meanwhile, something in the sky threatens the canyon they share.
main actors
Otis Haywood Sr. – Keith David.
OJ Haywood – Daniel Kaluuya
Emerald Haywood – Keke Palmer
Ricky “Juppe” Parker – Steven Yeun
Angel Torres – Brandon Perea
guest appearance
Antler Holst – Michael Wincott
Bonnie Clayton – Donna Mills
Gordie’s backstory
Child actor “Juppe” performs with Gordy the chimpanzee. While filming a live segment of the show, a helium-filled balloon exploded under the lights on the set. Gordy is out. He tries to kill the actress who comes in with a balloon.
For Parker, the trauma of the incident has never actually been fully addressed. He experiences flashbacks until he leaves the film.
*As a screenwriter, Peele drew heavily on the real-life tragedy of 2009’s Travis the Chimpanzee. The chimpanzee owner asked a friend to help her take care of the chimpanzee, and she brought along a stuffed toy Elmo. Friend Charla Nash had her face bitten off and her hands ripped off by a chimpanzee.
He was eliminated for extreme prejudice. Just like Gordy was No.*
sombrero
The main plot of the film involves the flying Straw Hats. *This is my opinion, even after repeated viewings. When we look at this thing from below, it looks like a wide-brimmed hat. At least until it starts eating its victims.
Peele deftly builds suspense by having our heroes stumble around trying to figure out what this flying object is. Obviously, it was a UFO of some type, but not a typical example.
However, there was one thing OJ was quick to address. Don’t look at that thing. This means certain death.
it works
The casting was perfect. Kaluuya is excellent as the pedantic older brother. He was so focused on his family dynasty that he had no time for frivolity. Palmer is “Left Field’s” sister.
Peara plays the tech-savvy Angel, and Wincott plays the jaded Holster, a man still searching for the perfect shot.
CG and atmosphere (lights, sounds, etc.) work together like a Swiss timepiece. No Never miss a beat.
judgment
Although it feels like I’ve been posting too many 5-star rankings lately, No Really a five out of five. Peele may not be the new Alfred Hitchcock or Wes Craven, but he’s a creator who can definitely give Night Shyamalan a run for his money. No is trending on Starz.
trailer
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