The NBA playoffs start today! Universal Pictures marked the occasion by releasing a new teaser for Jordan Peele’s upcoming new movie, Newwith eight-time NBA All-Star Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors.
As we’ve previously reported, Peele has confirmed his status as the current master of thought-provoking horror, starting with Get outhis surprise box office hit that grossed over $250 million and landed Peele an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay—the first time the award went to a black recipient. Get out is a subtle exploration of racial tensions that quietly reveals its horrific premise and builds to an inevitably bloody conclusion. In Peele’s sequel in 2019, Usthe theme wasn’t so much racial tensions – it was, in Peele’s words, exploring the myriad ways in which ‘we are our own worst enemies’.
The first trailer came out in February – very moody and atmospheric but with very few details. (Aliens could be involved, or Peele wants us to think there’s some trickery involved.) Trailers for Peele’s films never reveal too much, as much of the fun of his films comes from their often bizarre twists and turns.
Everything we know so far about New is that Daniel Kaluuya (who was nominated for an Oscar for) Get out) as James Haywood, Keke Palmer (Hustlers† Black Panther) as Jill Haywood and Steven Yeun (Minaric† ok) as Brian. All are “residents in a lonely gorge of outback California bearing witness to an eerie and horrifying discovery.” The cast also includes Michael Wincott as Craig, Brandon Perea as Kevin, Barbie Ferreira as Danielle, and Donna Mills as Bonnie Clayton.
The new 30-second teaser mimics elements of that first trailer. We see Curry in an empty barn on a remote horse ranch. He drops the needle on a record and shoots a few baskets. But then the power suddenly goes out. A curious Curry heads to the barn entrance just as the wind picks up and we see an ominous shadow fall over the scene as he stares at the sky. Whatever he sees is not reassuring. He pulls up his hoodie and walks away with a curt, “No.”
Verdict: The highly photogenic Curry isn’t going to win an Oscar anytime soon, but it’s a fun meme-worthy marketing move from the studio. New opens in theaters on July 22, 2022. Based on what we’ve seen so far, we’re still saying “Yep.”
View picture by YouTube/Universal Pictures