Note: This OPUS review contains plot spoilers.
What happens when a fledgling journalist stuck in a stalled career gets the opportunity of a lifetime? Ariel Ecton (Ayo Edebiri) is one of a select few invited to an exclusive listening party. Alfred Moretti (John Malkovich) is an enigmatic rockstar who had long since disappeared. In the same fashion as Willy Wonka, he re-emerged and invited an exclusive group of people to his compound in order to sample some of his finest creations yet.
What happens next? A cult, secret surveillance, oyster shucking, violence, and death.
Meet our Opus Final Girl
Ariel Ecton is introduced as a hard-working journalist. She is full of good ideas for stories which her boss swiftly reassigns to other writers. Stuck in a rut, her boyfriend advises her that her lack of life experience is holding her back. Enter: Alfred Moretti.
Moretti invites Ariel to his compound along with a number of other guests. Strangely, Ariel is the only invited guest that seems to notice how peculiar the compound members are in both behaviour and practices. All of Moretti’s followers dress in blue. They are particularly devoted to him as a cult of personality. They make many of their own belongings and partake in various artistic crafts. Members also take turns doing violent oyster shucking that leaves them with scarred hands.
Ariel tries to raise the alarm about the strange ongoings. However, none of the other guests believe her. Moreover, they all regard her as overreacting.
The Man, The Myth, The Moretti
Before Moretti became a recluse, he was one of the most high-profile pop/rockstars of his era. He once played alongside Bill Clinton. His world tours were enormous. But now his fan following appears even more cult-like than even the most notorious fanbases. Given that John Malkovich has a highly unique charisma on screen, there is no one better to bring to life this enigmatic figure.
Undoubtedly, Moretti’s behaviour is ridiculous. But when John Malkovich fully commits to the ridiculousness of the character, you can’t help but be entertained.
The ‘Cat and Mouse’ Game of Opus
Ariel and Moretti’s game of cat and mouse is largely gripping to watch. Ariel searches for answers about the compound’s stranger practices. Moretti seems to be aware of Ariel’s intentions but makes no moves to stop her.
The guests have surrendered their phones. Each guests is assigned a personal concierge. Every concierge follows their guests everywhere. The surveillance cameras hidden in each guest’s room are another key point to consider. As Ariel continues to investigate, the tension rises. It’s not quite clear when things will explode. By the time they do, Ariel is ready to escape.
However, she won’t be able to do so without witnessing serious violence.
About That Ending…
Although Ayo Edebiri and John Malkovich are highly entertaining lead performers, the film’s ending falls short. Moretti is locked in prison. Ariel writes a book about her experience at the compound. Shortly thereafter, Moretti agrees to a visit. After Ariel sits down with Moretti, he reveals that he chose her to witness everything and spread the ideology of the Levellist cult.
There are multiple attempts to condemn anti-intellectualism and celebrity-worship. However, the film’s ending muddles its messaging. The film isn’t quite clear enough in what it wants to say. Putting that aside, most of the film is entertaining. It manages to be unique in a landscape of corporate monotony. There is enough potential in Opus from writer/director Mark Anthony Green to ensure a healthy curiosity in what he comes up with next.
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