Ayo Edebiri & John Malkovich Shine in the A24-Esque Mystery Opus – Review

Opus is a thrilling yet familiar psychological drama.

Mark Anthony Green’s feature directorial debut, Opus, feels like an amalgamation of several A24 films that have preceded it: start with a heaping serving of ‘Hereditary‘, mix in a bit of ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies‘, and lastly add a dash of ‘MaXXXine.’ It’s a recipe that adds up to a fun thriller with good performances, but you can’t help but feel like you’ve sampled this meal before.

A Young Journalist’s Mysterious Invitation

‘Opus’ begins with a fun premise: a young aspiring magazine writer, Ariel Ecton (Ayo Edebiri), is invited to the opportunity of a lifetime when aging beloved popstar Alfred Moretti (John Malkovich) emerges from a 30-year career hiatus with a new pop album that he’s allowing select media members to sample at his home. Moretti resides in a large compound full of his faithful followers, and there is clearly more going on than our media members are willing to admit.

As the eyes and ears of the audience, Ayo Edebiri’s Ariel immediately recognizes that something is off. Whether it’s the personal concierge who won’t leave her side even when she goes for a jog or the podcaster who doesn’t show up for the next day’s activities, Ariel is taking note of these things while no one else seems to care. Edebiri is able to portray so much more than the stock-scared female protagonist, bringing with her a sense of courage and grit that’s refreshing. Edebiri is a talented performer who is proving she can take on any genre.

Malkovich is having a great time as Moretti, a flamboyant enigma of an artist with shades of Lady Gaga and David Bowie. Malkovich is always a captivating on-screen presence, and he’s utilized well here, both funny and chilling. There’s also a talented supporting cast of character actors, including Juliette Lewis and Murray Bartlett, who bring some amusement but aren’t given as much of a chance to shine.

The film is paced and shot well despite the central mystery being slightly messy at times.

There are some truly exciting moments of dread and tension, but I found myself constantly comparing them to other films with similar tones and reveals. The result is something that doesn’t feel wholly original, inspired by some better experiences that have come before. I am a fan of A24 as a studio, and the brand has amassed a unique following. ‘Opus’ feels very A24, meaning that it definitely fits the bill, but unfortunately, it doesn’t add anything new. That’s not to take away from some of the amusing moments that take place in ‘Opus,’ but for a movie named after the dictionary term meaning an artistic work, it feels more like a copy.

Verdict

I give ‘Opus’ 3 out 5 stars. It is an amusing thriller with some very solid performances. However, reveals and moments of tension seem gently lifted from and inspired by other A24 films, leaving ‘Opus’ feeling familiar rather than its own defining work.

Read more Reviews on Nerdtropolis and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube.