My Review of Opus (2025)

 

Written And Directed by Mark Anthony Green

Moretti: "The back row is asleep but the front row is ready."

Sometimes you watch a movie because the premise is so batshit crazy that you think it's going to be right up your alley. Add some incredibly talented actors and you think you're on to a winner. Then you watch the movie itself and reality kicked in.

That's the sentiment for this off-kilter writer/director from former GQ Editor and journalist, Mark Anthony Green.. On paper, this was a great idea for an elevated horror. On screen, it completely fell apart.

The movie revolved around a reclusive 90s popstar named Alfred Moretti (John Malkovich). After decades of obscurity, he decided to release some new music. He also had a compound in Utah and invited a select few for a listening party.

The unlucky few turned out to be young journalist Ariel Ecton (Ayo Edibri), her editor Stan Sullivan (Murray Bartlett), TV host Clara Armstrong (Juliette Lewis), influencer Emily Katz (Stephanie Suganami), radio shock jock Bill Lotto (Mark Sivertsen) and paparazza, Bianca Tyson (Melissa Chambers). A reasonably eclectic group, all of whom were going to get the story of a lifetime.

It turned out that in between Moretti giving a performance and a rather creepy puppet show, the compound was filled with fans called Levellists and each of the guest had a chaperone. Ariel in particular had Belle (Amber Midthunder). Oh and people started to die, one by one.

The closest to a protagonist in this movie was Ariel and she was the only one of the group that Moretti and his cult followers were unable to kill. The ending also took a turn as even prison and a telly all expose couldn't quell Moretti's influence.

- There's a voice over role for Rosario Dawson, a cool supporting role for Tony Hale and cameos from Lil Nas X and Lenny Kravitz.

- Moretti was served a blue lobster during the meal. Only one in every two million exist.

- Standout music: John Malkovich going into popstar mode with Dina, Simone, Tomorrow My Love and 35mm.

- Chronology: 2025 in that Utah compound.

Opus made for a frustrating experience. It's premise was so intriguing, it's well cast and there's a few interesting moments but it's largely flat and lifeless as a movie. A shame because I really wanted to like it.

Rating: 5 out of 10