A One Mann’s Movies review of “Opus” (2025).
We’ve had a string of films now with rich or talented dudes inviting random people to their ‘pad’ for fun and frolics. Two high-class offerings that immediately come to mind are “The Menu” with the inestimable talents of the great Ralph Fiennes and “Blink Twice“, also featuring a black leading actress in the form of Naomi Ackie, which absolutely made the grade in my book. Here, A24 try to generate their own variant… which you would normally expect to be a sure thing. This time though, I found it to be a bit of a dud.
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
“Opus” Plot:
Ariel Ecton (Ayo Edebiri) is a frustrated junior writer in an entertainment-focused media company. She has great ideas, but she is never given the opportunity to get the spotlight in writing her own articles. When pop-icon Alfred Moretti (John Malkovich) surprisingly comes out of retirement by releasing new music, Ariel is astonished when she is chosen to go, together with her boss Stan Sullivan (Murray Bartlett), for an exclusive listen to the new album and an interview with the reclusive megastar.
Certification:
UK:Â 15;Â US: R. (From the BBFC web site: “Strong threat, violence, language, injury detail”.)
Talent:
Starring: Ayo Edebiri, John Malkovich, Murray Bartlett, Juliette Lewis, Melissa Chambers, Tony Hale, Stephanie Suganami, Mark Sivertsen, Amber Midthunder, Tatanka Means.
Directed by: Mark Anthony Green.
Written by: Mark Anthony Green.
Running Time: 1h 44m.
“Opus” Summary:
Positives:
- Ayo Edebiri is excellent.
- A section involving a chase and a fight are tense and exciting.
Negatives:
- Malkovich is mis-cast.
- The story really strains credibility making the violence unjustified and icky.
Review of “Opus”:
John Malkovich – pop icon?
The credibility of the film rests on your ability to accept that John Malkovich is the world’s top music megastar: so beloved that sycophantic zealots camp outside his New Mexico ranch for the slightest chance that they might glimpse the reclusive maestro. And, I’m sorry, but I couldn’t get there. Malkovich is channelling his top Malkovichiness, which is fine, but I just didn’t believe the concept.
But what exactly is the motivation?
The six people invited to the ranch for the special occasion include Bill Lotto (Mark Sivertsen), who Moretti is known to hate. But the other four, excluding Ariel who remains clinical and judgemental of what she is witnessing, seem in awe of the icon and pandering and fawning to a man/woman. So – without spoilers – I really didn’t get why the scenario that unfolded was so planned. It didn’t make sense to me, and thus the extreme violence, when it happens, seems unjustified, cruel and plain unpleasant. I don’t mind films where wrongdoers get their violent cumuppence (with “Blink Twice” being a case in point). But where the violence seems random and senseless, it just left me with a bad taste in my mouth.
While the ending is kind of clever, I’m still unaware of how Moretti can be seen to get a win out of it…. other than perhaps in a John Doe/”Se7en” type of way.
Ayo Edebiri is great.
Having said all of this, the movie provides another opportunity to appreciate the rising star Ayo Edibiri on the big screen. The star of TV’s “The Bear” and “Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles“, Edibiri is the best thing in this movie. Her acute embarrassment at having to stand there and discuss her pubic hair, and then have it shaved, is toe-curlingly brilliant to watch. She needs her agent to find her a better film than this to showcase her talents. Perhaps Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming “After the Hunt” will provide that springboard for her?
It occasionally hits a more engrossing beat.
I didn’t find the film a complete bust. Some of the cinematography (by Tommy Maddox-Upshaw) is good. And the music (featuring Nile Rodgers and The-Dream, who interestingly I noted were co-producers) has its moments.
In terms of excitement, there was only one section that really hit the adrenaline for me. Ariel escapes through a window and is being pursued by the Terminator-like Belle (an impressive Amber Midthunder). This ends with a “WTF” moment that wasn’t what it seemed. An effective sequence.
Summary Thoughts on “Opus”
“Opus” is the big-screen debut, as a writer/director, of Mark Anthony Green who, according to IMDB, used to be an editor of GQ magazine (giving him some inside view of Ariel’s corporation). Unfortunately, the story didn’t really work for me, so I can’t really recommend this one. But – hey – that’s just me… I know some others have enjoyed this one.
Where to Watch it (Powered by Justwatch)
Trailer for “Opus”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5owo-kbx8X0 .
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