Movie review by Dennis D. McDonald

I paid little attention to this movie’s publicity and went in knowing almost nothing about it. I had not seen the director’s previous movies but was intrigued with images of horses and wide-open spaces.

I was not disappointed! This is an unusually well done blend of horror and sci-fi which is difficult to carry off well, especially since so much of the story occurs in broad daylight.

Mystery, tension, fear are well orchestrated throughout. One thing I really liked was that this is a “slow burn“ film. The story plays out slowly and methodically. We also gradually learn about the main characters along the way. Horrific and incredibly intense sequences do occur but they are not constant. This allows the viewer to re-acclimate and concentrate on how the characters are dealing with the mystery.

Special praise is due the photography of Hoyte van Hoytema. He also photographed Tenet, Dunkirk, Interstellar, Ad Astra, and Her. Nope’s visuals gloriously and simultaneously communicate solitude and wide open spaces. A great film!

Copyright (c) 2023 by Dennis. D. McDonald

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