10 Exact Moments Recent Horror Movies Won Us Over
4. Gordy's Big Moment - Nope
Previous offerings from virtuoso filmmaker Jordan Peele - Get Out and Us - were acclaimed as two of the finest horror films ever made, with an effortless mix of social critique and petrifying subject matter proving to be a winning signature.
2022's Nope revolves around an extraterrestrial terrorizing the Californian skies - a seemingly abrupt departure from the more human, supernatural horror of Peele's preceding efforts. As such, a little reassurance was required to indicate that this was still vintage Peele.
He didn't disappoint, turning in what is arguably his most visually shocking scene yet. The moment in question is a flashback, depicting a brutal attack by Gordy - a rampaging chimpanzee featured on a television show from Ricky "Jupe" Parks' (Steven Yeun) days as a child actor.
Beating two cast members into a pulp, Gordy disfigures Ricky's childhood crush with his teeth while he watches in horror. The sight of the chimp in clothes and a party hat drenched in crimson gore is straight out of a nightmare - an effect compounded by the squelches of flesh and screams for mercy. Gordy having his head blown off just as he calms and reconciles with Ricky is the icing on an extremely traumatic cake.
The dangers highlighted by Gordy's tale also foreshadow Parks' demise when he attempts to use Jean Jacket's presence for profit - wild creatures are not meant to be tamed.