Warning: Contains potential SPOILERS for Nope
Jordan Peele's third directorial effort, Nope, has taken the world by storm and like his two previous films, the location of the film holds information about its story. The movie focuses on OJ and Emerald Haywood, a pair of siblings and Hollywood horse trainers played respectively by Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer. When they realize that a UFO is inhabiting the skies over the desert where their ranch is located, they come up with a plan to capture it on video in a bid for fame and fortune that could help them keep the long-running family business afloat after the horrific death of their father.
As a director, Peele is known for creating haunting images and suspenseful atmospheres; the locations used in his films are an important part of building the story. For example, Get Out, Peele's 2017 directorial debut largely takes place in a rich community of upstate New York that is largely inhabited by white people. It is a perfect setting for both the immediate situation in which Chris (Daniel Kaluuya, in his break-out role and first collaboration with Peele) finds himself and also for the underlying racial critique that Peele wove into that movie. Similarly, Peele chose his California filming locations carefully and used them very effectively in Nope to tell a story that goes even deeper than what is seen on screen.
While Peele gives care to placing his story in a suitable atmosphere, he doesn't always use a lot of locations. There are two main locations seen in Nope, and these are the most important to the telling of the story and its characters. Peele's alien invasion movie feels bigger than his previous films, largely taking place in the desert with a few interior scenes spread throughout. Here's a rundown of the locations used in Nope.
The Aqua Dulce Desert
The Aqua Dulce Desert sits to the north of Los Angeles and is a testament to the natural beauty of California's deserts. It also speaks to some of Nope's underlying meaning with regard to film-making and creativity. Peele has spoken about his desire to see more original films instead of IP or franchise-driven movies that currently dominate screens. In this film, the desert reflects the Haywood's dried-up state, both creatively and financially as they struggle to keep up with Hollywood's changes. The location also reflects the larger story concept and Peele uses sweeping shots of the desert and its mountain to amaze audiences with the scope of his UFO creation.
Jupiter's Claim
Jupiter's Claim is a theme park recycled from the set of a 90s western film starring Ricky "Jupe" Park, a former child star played as an adult by The Walking Dead's Steven Yeun. Park experienced extreme trauma involving a chimp named Gordy on the set of sitcom in his youth and profits from the incident by keeping a museum featuring artifacts from the ill-fated sitcom in his office. The entire set for the Jupiter's Claim park was built in the Aqua Dulce desert specifically for the filming of Nope. Universal Studios has carefully reconstructed the set on their Hollywood backlot and has made it available for visitors as part of their studio tour.
Fry's Electronics
Nope's characters don't spend a lot of time in the physical location of its final important setting, but Fry's Electronics has a significant impact on the rest of the story. A California business founded in the 80s, the Haywoods head to Fry's to find a camera system they can use to capture the UFO on film. Once again, Peele carefully chose his location, featuring a Fry's in Burbank that has a sci-fi-themed facade featuring a UFO. While Nope might not be ranked as the best of Peele's films, California natives have been excited to see Fry's memorialized in the movie. The electronics chain closed in February 2021, but Peele has yet to reveal whether the interior scenes were filmed inside the Fry's location or if it was recreated on a soundstage for the filming.