In the months leading up to the debut of Jordan Peele's Nope, trying to figure out what the hell the movie was about became a kind of event unto itself as the director's fans pored over trailers, posters, and interviews It was a big part of the film's appeal that many went into Nope completely unaware of its premise. By the time Nope hit theaters, its ads almost immediately started telegraphing the shape of its story, both because people were already seeing the movie and because that's how studios have chosen to market their projects in recent years.
You know what you're watching when you go to a theater.
When it comes to how much information trailers give away nowadays and the power that we have given to the idea of being spoiled, stars like Keke Palmer and Jordan Peele are of different minds. When I caught up with the pair recently, they explained how they see striking the balance between secrecy and juicy details as a necessary part of making the movie going experience magical.
There is a benefit to being able to walk into a film and not know anything. A lot of people like to know what is happening at the same time. You know what you're watching when you go to a theater.
In the weeks and months following Nope's release, the conversations around the movie shifted as more people saw it for themselves and were able to understand what they were seeing. When audiences got to see Jupiter's Claim, the image of Ricky Park wearing a cowboy hat became a brilliant example of some of Nope's bigger themes.
Making fucked-up films is something I enjoy doing. I enjoy making weird movies that aren't supposed to be made.
The idea of how his previous work has explored the intricacies of anti-Black racism and the thorniness of American exceptionalism is what inspired the idea of his new films. He said that his stories are always based in personal observations that he expands upon as part of his creative process, and that he doesn't want to make movies that people label as prestige because of their subject matter.
People should not think that I am trying to makelevated films. I like making fucked-up films. Sometimes I challenge people on the other side of things by making weird movies that are not supposed to be made.
When people get to discussing what he's trying to say or what particular shots mean, the discourse around Peele's work can get hostile. From her point of view, a not insignificant amount of the flack Peele gets has more to do with people working through their own emotions.
Palmer said that his films double people over because of their impact. We come to the theater to learn what to do with the observation. I know when Jordan puts his movies together and does his artistry, it's based off of something that he felt.
A resurgence of interest in the 29-year-old actor herself, who has been booked and busy for the better part of the past, has been caused by her turn as Emerald Haywood in the film, as well as her role in the movie. Some of her fans are new to her, and are eager to see her cast in things like the upcoming X-men project.
At a time when people complain about the presence of Black women in genre fiction, it has been fascinating to see a community come together. The experience has meant a lot to Palmer because she has been in the industry for a long time.
Palmer said that he could continue to grow and get more eyes and fans, as well as see his career evolve. What people expected of me when I was a kid is completely different now. It is fun to see people respond to my work.
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