Opus
Directed by Mark Anthony GreenA journalist (Ayo Edebiri) is invited to the remote compound of a legendary pop star (John Malkovich) who mysteriously disappeared 30 years ago. Surrounded by the star's cult of sycophants, she gets caught in the middle of his twisted plan.
Cast of Opus
Opus Ratings & Reviews
- Kevin Ward7d agoHot take perhaps, but those Makovich/Moretti tracks (Dina, Simone and 35mm) are both bangers. Ayo and Malkovich are both good in this but the cult of celebrity, satire didn’t really have much bite and as a result is kind of a bore to watch outside of a few scenes. I did like the ending, though.
- RyezooMarch 15, 2025I guess I enjoyed this more than most. It’s a fun zany ride hunkerd down by a great performance by Ayo Edebiri and a nuts one by John Malkovich. The thrills never reach the extremes I wish and the scares are non existent but to me it’s still worth a watch.
- DerekJuly 11, 2025This movie started off good but then immediately burned out in the last 30 minutes. The final act of this film made me wish I hadn't watched it. So bizarre.
- jackmeatApril 8, 2025My quick rating - 5.8/10. I really thought this set the stage for something big—a chilling dive into the dangers of fame, the toxicity of idol worship, and the seductive pull of mythologized celebrity. With a premise this intriguing and John Malkovich at the center as a vengeance-driven, long-lost pop icon named Moretti, I was bracing for fireworks. But what I got was more of a slow burn that never quite ignites. The story follows Ariel, a young writer played by Ayo Edebiri, who’s invited to a lavish and remote compound where the long-disappeared Moretti has re-emerged, surrounded by a bizarre entourage of journalists, hangers-on, and devoted fanatics. It’s a ripe setup, and Edebiri carries the narrative well. She gives Ariel a mix of intelligence and cautious curiosity, even if she pieces things together a bit too quickly for the tension to really marinate. Occasionally, her facial expressions didn’t quite match the tone of the scene, but that felt more like a quirk than a flaw. Malkovich, unsurprisingly, is the film’s biggest asset. His performance as Moretti is magnetic—equal parts bizarre, bitter, and mesmerizing. There’s an eerie allure to how he commands every scene he’s in. You want to know what his endgame is, and he plays it with a kind of menacing grace. Juliette Lewis also brings some grounded chaos to the mix as one of the journalists—potentially one of the many who wronged Moretti in the past. Visually, the film has style. The compound is elaborate and visually striking, and there’s a slightly dreamlike, almost hallucinatory quality to some of the locations that fits the film’s surreal tone. But for a movie that flirts with thriller and psychological horror elements, Opus feels oddly restrained. There’s little sense of real danger, and even once the ensemble realizes they’re pawns in Moretti’s twisted plan, the tension just never fully lands. The special effects, while competent, are used sparingly, and the sense of dread is diluted by the film’s slow pacing and tame escalation. When the final act rolls around, it’s all wrapped up a bit too neatly, lacking the punch or emotional resonance it felt like it was aiming for. There’s a message here—a cautionary tale about the destructiveness of celebrity obsession and media vultures—but it never digs deep enough to feel truly biting. Without Malkovich anchoring the madness, this would have scored lower for me. It’s all atmosphere and concept with not enough impact or narrative bite. Not a bad film by any means, just not the one I hoped it would be. Opus has the ingredients for something compelling, but it never fully delivers on the promise. All pop, no bang.
- Michael FosterJune 18, 2025It's just so good and deserves all the weird love possible. Aya shines bright along with the entire cast. Filmmaking here is a treat for the senses. Fresh and intricately woven cult horror.
- dvd7227May 18, 2025Good cast and good directing with a good pace, movie feels more like a Jordan Peele directed movie with John Malkovich
- ScottMay 10, 2025Even the Princess of Ireland couldn't save this movie that was couldn't decide on whether it wanted to be a thoughtful commentary on celebrity or a cult slasher. It doesn't hit the mark on either and I ended up thinking about Midsommar through most of it.
- NonPlayableContentMay 5, 2025Cheap fights, cheap CGI, with some overacting that can be interesting but finally a generic story rehashed.
- NjParmarApril 16, 2025I really nice twist on the cult horror story, Johns eccentric character added to the comedic value of the movie. Loved it.
- SpoonsApril 15, 2025Opus is a stylish, satirical horror that skewers the cult of celebrity. John Malkovich mesmerizes as a reclusive pop icon turned cult leader, while Ayo Edebiri anchors the chaos with sharp wit. A surreal, unsettling ride that’s as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.
- cultfilmlikerApril 14, 2025John Malkovich singing original Nile Rodgers / The-Dream songs is…..the only dreamy part of this film. The rest is a nightmare. Is Moretti just Malkovich reusing the acting he didn’t get to show to the world bc I Love You, Daddy was shelved? Maybe. Is it possible he’s just a talented actor? Sure! All I know is he didn’t tell us whether he did that kid in I Love You, Daddy, and he didn’t tell us if he wore the teeth in this. The camp listening scene was so bad and so good. Woof. Did not think Malkovich pulled it off clean and the star struck shots had an…off quality to them lol Gotta love the capitalism / “anyone can make it” allegories! They sure are hot right now! It’s hard to make “get out” movies after Get Out, but you at least have to have some interesting twists. A24 is sooo mad it didn’t get Jordan Peele. The entire plot is rehashed from a number of similar films and every time it becomes exciting it does something to lose you again. Don’t know how everyone involved with this film signed on knowing the conclusion. Including the victims! HOW DID NOBODY PUT TOGETHER WHY THEY WERE SELECTED lol Why would you even try hiding smfh Love that they let a psychopathic mass murderer have a real, unrestricted one-on-one visit with one of their victim’s Tony Hale’s character was also an interesting choice!! As in: *Tim Robinson voice* “I said it was INTERESTING…” More of a cap gun than a Magnum. It’s definitely a Cult film! (Sorry, I had to)
- AtarianApril 4, 2025What the heck, am I right?
