Logline: After random objects falling from the sky result in the death of their father, ranch-owning siblings OJ and Emerald Haywood attempt to capture video evidence of an unidentified flying object with the help of tech salesman Angel Torres and documentarian Antlers Holst.
Theme: Exploitation and spectacle
Medium: Feature film
Credits: Written by Jordan Peele
Act I
1.INT. sitcom set - DAY (1998)Story Beat: HookNotes: Most of the characters in the film are intrigued by spectacle for one reason or another, so it's only fitting that the opening scene pulls the audience in for that same reason. It's a brief glimpse of a horrific event, but because of how strange and violent it is, we can't help but want to know more.Theme: Symbolized
2.EXT. haywood ranch - night (PRESENT DAY)
3.EXT. HAYWOOD RANCH - DAYStory Beat: Inciting IncidentNotes: Both of the central conflicts are introduced in this scene - OJ's family farm is having financial troubles, and there's something mysterious going on in the sky. Though it doesn't seem like the two will connect, OJ's financial state proves to be his sole motivation for how he handles the alien.
4.INT. oj's truck - day
5.INT. hospital - day
6.INT. oj's truck - DAY
7.INT. studio - DAYNotes: Emerald is introduced as the polar opposite of OJ. Because of her go-getter attitude and natural charisma, she winds up being a more active protagonist than OJ. They mesh well together as characters because of the vast difference in their strengths and weaknesses, and their pairing is more equal than the usual hero and sidekick.Theme: Explored
8.EXT. STUDIO - DAY
9.INT. OJ'S TRUCK - DAY
10.EXT. jupiter's claim - DAYNotes: The wishing well becomes an extremely important set piece later on, but in its introduction, it seems to only exist for a funny moment. When it's used again at the end, it's an earned surprise. It wasn't so harped on in its intro that it became clear foreshadowing, but it also wasn't completely skipped over so its existence can't be written off as a mere convenience at the end.
11.INT. JUPITER'S CLAIM - office - DAYNotes: Jupe has spent his whole life profiting off of a tragedy. He's in so deep that he's become obsessed with it. Maybe because it's the biggest thing he's ever been a part of, or maybe because he could never truly understand why he was spared. This sets him up as a unique villain - the way he uses the tragedy to his advantage is off-putting, but his reasoning doesn't feel malicious. He feels more lost than he does evil.Theme: Stated
12.INT. SITCOM SET - DAY (1998)
13.EXT. HAYWOOD RANCH - NIGHT
14.INT. haywood house - NIGHTNotes: Emerald doesn't care as much as OJ does about the legacy of their family's ranch. She wasn't as close with their dad as he was, and this scene shows why. There's little sentimental value in keeping the business alive, whereas for OJ, it means everything to him.
15.EXT. HAYWOOD RANCH - NIGHTStory Beat: Plot Point 1Notes: This is the first glimpse we get of the UFO. Although it looks like a "normal" saucer, the screams are what set it apart from feeling like the same type of UFO we've seen over and over again. The screams and the debris are where the majority of questions surrounding the UFO are, so we're not only thinking of the standard "what is it" and "why is it here". The screams also cut through the silence of the ranch in an impactful, terrifying manner.
16.INT. stables - NIGHT
17.EXT. HAYWOOD house - NIGHT
Act II
18.EXT. FRY'S ELECTRONICS - DAYTheme: Explored
19.inT. fry's electronics - DAYNotes: Even before Angel reveals his recent break-up in the next scene, it's clear that he's lonely and looking for someone to talk to or something to do. This makes him a perfect candidate for getting sucked into the Haywood's UFO theories. It's an exciting prospect for him, and he's able to put his skills to good use, outside of his boring job. One thing that will surely make a dead-end job more interesting is keeping your mind occupied with a never-ending rabbit hole of conspiracies.Theme: Explored
20.EXT. HAYWOOD HOUSE - DAY
21.EXT. HAYWOOD RANCH - DAY
22.EXT. HAYWOOD HOUSE - DAY
23.INT. HAYWOOD HOUSE - NIGHT
24.INT. stables - NIGHTNotes: The scariest moment so far turns out to be a fake-out. Just when we think the aliens might be the type of little green goblins that we're familiar with, it pulls the rug out from under us.
25.INT. FRY'S ELECTRONICS - night
Act III
53.EXT. HAYWOOD RANCH - DAY
54.INT. HAYWOOD HOUSE - DAYNotes: OJ is past the point of risky behavior - he's practically self-sacrificing in order to get the footage. In his eyes, this is the only way for him to save his family's ranch. Is it better to give up or to die trying?Theme: Stated
55.MONTAGE
56.INT. HAYWOOD HOUSE - NIGHTNotes: Angel would likely be the only one not profiting off of this situation. OJ and Emerald would get the money, Antlers would get the fame of getting "the shot". Angel needs something more. He's not doing this in his own self-interest, he's doing it to help OJ and Emerald, and he seeks an extra bit of reassurance that if he dies, it's not in vain.Theme: Explored
57.INT. stables - DAY
58.EXT. HAYWOOD house - DAY
59.I/E. HAYWOOD RANCH - DAYTheme: Explored
60.i/e. HAYWOOD RANCH - DAYThe TMZ reporter is the most blatant representation in the film of how humans chase spectacle. The man is horribly injured with a UFO on its way to finish the job, and the only thing he cares about is whether or not his accident was caught on video. He could have saved himself, but he chose entertainment over his own life.
Plot threads
Gordy
The "Gordy's Home" incident is previewed.
"Gordy's Home" has a growing fanbase due to the incident.
The "Gordy's Home" incident is shown.
Otis Sr.
Otis Sr. is injured by falling debris.
Otis Sr. dies.
Emerald remembers how hurt she was when her dad let someone else train her horse.
OJ remembers his dad telling him that some animals aren't fit to be trained.
Jupe Park
Jupe is introduced.
Jupe is traumatized from watching Gordy kill his co-stars.
Jupe has put together a new show for his park.
Jupe's kids prank OJ.
Jupe is the only cast member who wasn't attacked by Gordy.
Jupe fails to tame the UFO.
Jupe dies.
Angel
Angel is introduced.
Angel catches on to what OJ and Emerald are doing.
Angel offers to monitor the cameras himself.
Angel reveals that he's been monitoring the Haywood's cameras.
Angel tries to help catch the UFO on camera.
Angel points out the strange cloud.
Angel senses that something is off.
Angel and Emerald hide from the UFO.
Angel lets the Haywoods stay with him.
Angel stays with the Haywoods, despite the danger.
Angel seems to be the only one afraid of the task ahead.
Angel helped to rig all of the electronics for their plan.
Angel is almost killed.
Antlers
Emerald calls Antlers for help.
Antlers reconsiders Emerald's project.
Antlers agrees to help.
Antlers is properly prepared for the task.
Antlers captures the perfect shot.
Alters dies.
Characters
Oj HaywoodBlack · Male · HeroIntroverted, no-nonsense, and observant. He's a hard-worker and great with animals, because he listens before responding and respects boundaries.What does your character want?: To make enough money to save his family's ranch.How will your character attempt to get it?: By capturing undeniably real UFO footage.What does your character need?: Closure for his dad's death. It happened so suddenly, and just from a little quarter.How will your character realize it?: When he remembers what his dad taught him about predators. He'll use that knowledge to outsmart the very thing that killed his dad.
Emerald HaywoodBlack · Female · HeroCharismatic, fun, and a go-getter. She's talkative and will unashamedly self-promote, knowing that the only way to move up in the world is to put yourself out there.What does your character want?: To be successful in the entertainment industry.How will your character attempt to get it?: By capturing UFO footage and - hopefully - making it onto Oprah.What does your character need?: To prove to her family that she's more capable than she seems.How will your character realize it?: When she outsmarts the UFO, proving that she could have been able to train Jean Jacket when she was younger.
Ricky "jupe" ParkAsian · Male · VillainA businessman who thinks about profit first and everything else second. He's not heartless, but his ego tends to get in the way of any rational decision-making.What does your character want?: Fame and fortune.How will your character attempt to get it?: By using the UFO to his advantage - showcasing it like a circus act and pretending like he has some sort of control over it.
26.int. stables - NIGHTNotes: Angel's so eager to catch this mysterious object that he immediately reveals he's been watching their security footage. He can't sit by while a little bug ruins evidence of a UFO.
27.EXT. HAYWOOD RANCH - NIGHT
28.I/E. haywood ranch - NIGHTNotes: OJ and Emerald both put their own lives in danger for the sake of capturing the impossible. Emerald goes outside to try and get the bug off of the camera, leaving a relatively safe hiding place in order to do so. And once Emerald decides that the risk is too much, OJ refuses to leave the ranch, believing that he'll be able to capture the UFO at another time.Theme: Explored
29.EXT. HAYWOOD RANCH - DAYTheme: Stated
30.INT. HAYWOOD HOUSE - NIGHT
31.INT. HAYWOOD HOUSE - DAYTheme: Stated
32.EXT. HAYWOOD HOUSE - DAY
33.INT. stables - DAYNotes: This is the moment where Angel truly becomes a part of the team. Yes, he invited himself in. But he also provides them with useful information, and proves that he's here to help, not to profit.Theme: Explored
34.INT. SITCOM SET - DAY (1998)Notes: The full depiction of this event shows that they weren't dealing with a rabid, evil animal. The humans surrounding Gordy disrupted his environment and triggered his natural hunting instincts. An animal can't be blamed for following its instincts, yet Gordy was killed for doing just that.Theme: Symbolized
35.INT. JUPITER'S CLAIM - OFFICE - DAY
36.EXT. HAYWOOD RANCH - DAY
37.EXT. JUPITER'S CLAIM - arena - DAYNotes: Jupe falsely believed that he had a relationship with the UFO. He didn't believe it would hurt him - Jupe was the only one spared by Gordy, and he fails to realize that it's not because of any special connection with the animal. He also uses these animals for his own entertainment and success. He's profited off of both Gordy and the UFO, while not caring about either.Theme: Symbolized
38.INT. ufo - DAYStory Beat: Midpoint
39.EXT. JUPITER'S CLAIM - DAY
40.EXT. JUPITER'S CLAIM - ARENA - DAY
41.EXT. JUPITER'S CLAIM - ARENA - NIGHTNotes: OJ's horses are loyal to him because he treats them with respect. Lucky stayed by OJ when he was unconscious, but he wouldn't follow Jupe's commands.
42.INT. HAYWOOD HOUSE - NIGHT
43.ext. HAYWOOD HOUSE - NIGHT
44.INT. HAYWOOD HOUSE - NIGHTNotes: Once OJ explains that the UFO is an animal, it becomes more frightening, because now there's a clear intention behind its movements. It's territorial, it's angry, and it's hungry. It's not flying by looking to explore - it's on the hunt, and our protagonists are right underneath it.Theme: Explored
45.EXT. HAYWOOD house - NIGHTStory Beat: Plot Point 2Notes: The embodiment of the film's title - OJ takes one glance at the UFO above him and decides that's enough. He doesn't freak out, doesn't try to run, just sits there in disbelief, pretending that the threat of imminent death isn't real. Nope. Not today.
46.EXT. HAYWOOD HOUSE - DAY
47.Int. HAYWOOD HOUSE - DAY
48.EXT. HAYWOOD HOUSE - DAYNotes: OJ's test of not looking directly at the UFO worked. He's starting to understand it more and more, making him more well-equipped to outsmart it.
49.INT. angel's apartment - day
50.INT. antlers' home - DAY
51.INT. diner - nightNotes: OJ much prefers work over rest, the opposite of Angel and Emerald. They want to have just one moment where they can forget about the traumatic event they've been through, but OJ's gears are constantly turning, trying to conjure up a successful plan.
52.EXT. DINER - NIGHTNotes: They've all made it out of the ranch alive. There's no need to go back, yet they still have the desire to document what they saw. Even Angel, who initially refuses to put himself in harm's way again, ends up folding.
Notes:
Theme: Stated
61.i/e. HAYWOOD RANCH - DAYNotes: Just like the TMZ reporter, Antlers also falls under the trap of choosing spectacle over everything. The difference is that he was completely safe. He got the shot, and he could've likely left the ranch completely unscathed. Instead, he sacrifices his own life to get what he deemed to be the "impossible" shot. Something that he would be remembered for long after he's gone... if the camera survived the fall.Theme: Stated
62.EXT. HAYWOOD RANCH - DAYStory Beat: ClimaxNotes: Similar to Antlers, OJ chooses to self-sacrifice in the heat of the moment. However, while Antlers' was for fame and glory, OJ's is for the noble cause of saving his sister. That's what separates OJ from many of the other characters. OJ is motivated by family - saving his family's ranch, buying back his dad's horses, and always having his sister's back, even when they disagree. He doesn't care about the spectacle itself, just the positive effect it would have on his family. He wouldn't be able to live with himself knowing that he could've tried to save Emerald, but chose not to.
63.EXT. JUPITER'S CLAIM - DAYStory Beat: ResolutionNotes: Whether or not OJ survived is left up to interpretation. Yes, Emerald sees him at the end, but it does seem a bit too glorious to be true. He sits triumphantly atop his horse, backlit by the sunset. Maybe he did outsmart the alien, or maybe it's just a figment of her imagination.Theme: Explored
What does your character need?: To understand that he can't tame a predator.
How will your character realize it?: In his final moments, when the UFO betrays his trust.
Angel TorresHispanic · Male · Man In the ChairFriendly, introverted, and lonely. He's at a low point in his life and doesn't see much hope in the future.What does your character want?: He wants friends and a purpose, both of which can get him out of his rut.How will your character attempt to get it?: By befriending the Haywoods and assisting them with their plans.What does your character need?: Confidence in himself.How will your character realize it?: When he becomes an integral part of successfully capturing the UFO. Neither of the Haywoods could've rigged all of the electronics, but he did.