The latest from Jordan Peele, Nope, opens on Friday. It looks like a fun ride and could be one of the gems of the back half of summer. As you get ready, this week’s Binge Watch is taking the top line cast and crew and looking back at one movie I like from their catalog. As an added challenge, I won’t be doubling down on one of Peele’s other horror films. So, if you want more from these talented performers, check out this week’s Binge.
Daniel Kaluuya—Widows (2018)
About: Kaluuya worked with Peele on Get Out, which is a great film to check out. He also won an Oscar for Judas and the Black Messiah, another good one. But I’m going off script with Widows, a movie I’ve mentioned before that I don’t think gets enough love. It features Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez and Elizabeth Debicki in lead roles, and it was directed by Steve McQueen. But Kaluuya plays an interesting role as a villain opposite out leads. It’s an engaging film and one that deserved more attention when it was released.
Keke Palmer—Hustlers (2019)
About: It’s been a solid summer for Palmer, who’s a lead voice in the Pixar film Lightyear as well. But in looking back at her filmography, I couldn’t move past this drama from director Lorene Scafaria. In the documentary Halftime, released earlier this year, we re-live the premier for this film and its run through awards season. Jennifer Lopez should have gotten an Academy Award nomination, but this is also a film that’s better and more engaging than people might have expected watching the trailer. Hustlers is well worth checking out.
Steven Yeun—The Humans (2021)
About: Yeun first made waves as Glen on The Walking Dead. He also was nominated for an Academy Award for his work on the film Minari. But last year, he had a strong role in the film The Humans, a fascinating story that didn’t get a lot of attention. It made the rounds at some festivals, and dropped on Showtime around Thanksgiving, but it didn’t get a ton of buzz. Still, this story about a group gathering for Thanksgiving dinner is at times unnerving and a very tense experience. Yeun is great in the film, which deserved a broader audience.
Wrenn Schmidt—For All Mankind (2019-)
About: I couldn’t move past Schmidt in this list because she’s a main character on one of my favorite series, For All Mankind. The series runs on Apple TV+ and was part of the streamer’s launch in 2019. It’s now in its third season, airing Fridays. If you want to follow along, I’m doing recaps weekly. I know some will say this is cheating, but I make the rules, so you’re going to have to live with it.
Jordan Peele—Keanu (2016)
About: Before he began amazing us with his talent as a writer/director on modern horror films, Peele was best known for his comedic partnership with Keegan-Michael Key. Their show was a lot of fun, as was this big screen team up where Peele and Key take lead roles as a pair of friends who are trying to get back their stolen cat. Is it incredible? No. But it’s a bit of fun.
Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.
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