Nope

What’s it about?

After the mysterious death of their father, OJ and Emerald Haywood make an unsettling and out-of-this-world discovery on their secluded Californian horse ranch.

Meanwhile, former child star, Ricky ‘Jupe’ Park, reflects on a traumatic event from his past and somehow becomes connected to the chilling series of events happening on the ranch.

The facts

• Director: Jordan Peele
• Runtime: 130 minutes
• English language
• Like Peele’s earlier films (Get Out; Us), Nope touches on themes such as racism and prejudice.

Why did it get this rating?

Initially the film was cross-rated “M” by the Film and Video Labelling Body but the Chief Censor thought it was worth classifying. This was due to the range of ratings the film was receiving across the world, and the fact Peele’s previous films had received higher age ratings.

You can find out more about cross-rating here.

Horror

This film is about an alien that feeds by creating a whirlwind under its dark centre that sucks up everything in the vicinity. Horses and people are shown being consumed on several occasions. The strongest sequence involves a large crowd being sucked up from an outdoor amphitheatre. A screaming victim is briefly shown struggling against the tight and soft innards of the alien.

Other scenes include jump scares, bloody rain and bloody injuries. This includes a man being hit by a coin that falls from the sky which penetrates his head through his right eye.

Violence

The most impactful part of the film is not related to the alien but instead something traumatic from Ricky’s past as a child actor. This is shown at the start of the film and in a couple of flashbacks throughout.

During the filming of a sitcom a chimpanzee named Gordy gets spooked and goes on a feral rampage, attacking actors on set. The attack is largely shown from Ricky’s perspective as he is hiding underneath a table. He witnesses at least two of his co-stars beings attacked. The sound effects are visceral and while much of the violence is implied it is impactful.

Children are likely to find the scene highly upsetting and might not to be able to contextualise it within the broader themes of the film. Teenagers and even adults may also be distressed by this scene but are expected to have the maturity to understand that wild animals can behave in this way. For more information check out our blog Is Jordan Peele’s Nope a horror?

Offensive language

The language is generally used as an intensifier or an exclamation. Emerald also uses the F-word once to mean sexual intercourse. A racial term is also used in a non-derogatory manner.

Further information

Is Jordan Peele’s Nope a horror?

Talking with young people about what they’re watching

Horror films, scary sounds and pesky sleepovers

Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?