Moretti (John Malkovich) is a reclusive rock star who comes out of hiding to drop a new album. He sends out invites to a select few critics including a young journalist named Ariel (Ayo Edebiri) for an exclusive listening party at his remote compound. It’s here where his most devoted followers live on the grounds like cult members. The observant Ariel soon figures out they’ve been lured to the premises for sinister purposes.
Opus kind of starts off like a rock version of The Menu. Parts also reminded me of Cecil B. Demented as the central pop culture figure has a literal cult following. This is an admittedly delicious set-up ripe with possibilities. That’s what makes it all the more frustrating. Writer/director Mark Anthony Green delivered a recipe for a slow burn thriller but never finds the spark to light the fuse.
Since it’s one of those slow burn deals, it takes a long time for anything remotely scary or horrific to happen. Until then, a lot of the atmosphere of uneasiness comes from the conformist mentality and the lack of social cues on the part of the cult members. I’m thinking specifically of the scene where one of the followers offers to shave Edebiri “down there” because Malkovich requires it.
Even when the film finally gets down to business, it’s all over before it really even gets going. It also rambles on a good ten minutes past its expiration date. It might’ve helped if Green was making a point about religion or celebrities (or both). Without any sort of social commentary, it all feels rather toothless (and pointless).
Opus is one of those movies where it’s hard to see what makes the central cult leader so fascinating. Yes, Malkovich is fairly amusing while sashaying around in gaudy costumes, but the music he makes (courtesy of Nile Rodgers) doesn’t sound like the kind of stuff that would’ve been on the charts in any era. (Then again, it’s hard to tell, considering how bad music sounds these days.) He’s clearly having fun with the role, and some of that is infectious. That’s about where the fun stops though.
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