The way that the alien in Nope's final form looks like an old studio camera. The way the opening credits take place inside its stomach, shown as an endless darkness framed by billowing sheets - the blanket-like hood of an old camera that the photographer hides under. The way Jupe calls the alien The Viewer. The way Jupe makes stuffed animals of what he imagines the aliens inside the "ship" to look like subconsciously reference the camera magazines on the set of Gordy's Home with the body of a monkey. The way that Jupe was only saved because the table cloth kept him from looking Gordy in the eyes. The way that OJ and Em signal "I see you" before the final showdown. The violence of attention. The all-seeing eye. The panopticon. The camera obscura. The dark chamber. The spectacle.

Man, imagine being Liara T'soni. You're only 106, only barely an adult in Asari years, and you're doing some routine archeological dig on some nowhere planet. And you suddenly touch the wrong thing and a forcefield traps you in place. And then a human shows up. A beautiful alien space commander from beyond the stars comes to rescue you, with her guns and her muscles. A knight in shining power armor. Yeah I'd fall in love too. I'd follow her anywhere. And when she died, I'd turn to crime to save her. I'd sacrifice anything to bring her back. To see her again. I get it