Cast: Ayo edebiri, John Malkovich, Juliette Lewis, Murray Bartlett, Melissa Chambers, Tony Hale, Amber Midthunder

Written and Directed By: Mark Anthony Green

Studio: A24

Release Year: 2025

Runtime: 104 Minutes

Audio Description produced By: Deluxe

Written By:

Narrated by: Laura Post

What Is It?: A young writer (Edebiri) has the opportunity to join other music journalists at the cult-like retreat of an aged rock star (Malkovich), who has reportedly recorded his first new music in years. Although, the opportunity may seem too good to pass up, the little oddities keep popping up, and quickly she begins to wonder if the album is the real reason they were invited.

What Works: John Malkovich. I watched this a second time recently, because I realized I got too far behind and didn’t post the review after my first viewing, and opus is a weird, totally predictable horror film anchored by John Malkovich.The cast around him is either underutilized or don’t really fit, but Malkovich is pitch perfect as a music artist who truly believes he is some kind of messiah brought here to deliver something. Whether it is music, or to give his followers a greater purpose, he has bought into his own celebrity bullshit hook, line, and sinker. And casting an excellent actor like Malkovich in the role just brings a whole new level of weird for the times when he dances, or the outfits he wears that scream old rockstar trying to still appear hip, and even in his interactions with his sycophants. Some may feel like Opus isn’t what they typically get from A24, but I’d argue Malkovich understood the assignment, and even turned in the extra credit.

It’s not to say the rest of the cast is bad, some just do fine in small roles. Amber Midthunder, who broke through in Prey, is heavily underutilized and that isn’t her fault. tony Hale has a bit more to do, but still feels like he’s in a role that could have been given to anyone. Murray Bartlett is devilishly clever, but has a fraction of screentime, as does Juliette Lewis. The film is so laser focused on Edebiri, for better or worse.

there’s also a profound irony in reviewing this film considering the message it sends to critics. it seems to dare us to hate it, or face the consequence.

What Doesn’t Work: I’d love to have gotten more from most of the cast, especially since I wouldn’t call Ayo Edebiri a scream queen. She’s proven herself already in drama and comedy, and could get an Oscar nomination this year for After The Hunt, but she just feels like the square peg in the round hole in terms of being in a horror film.

Also, the film is rather predictable. It’s balancing a fine line between comedy and horror, without ever truly being scary, so the gore feels unearned. Mainly this is due to the gore being a bit over the top, and the tension is never ratcheted up to earn it, nor is the film funny enough, or the kills laughable to deserve existing. So you have a non-scary quirky horror comedy that has gore, just because.

the Audio description: Deluxe made a well mixed track that Laura Post narrates the heck out of. it’s not a scary film, so her generally accessible tone works here. Even if someone like John Bentley or William Michael redman had narrated, with their deeper and grittier tones, Opus would still not be strong enough in any one direction. Even picking a lighter, more comedic voice like Dave Wallace won’t make the film funnier. The movie just is what it is. It’s a little big of a few things, but not heavy into any.

You Might Like It If: You are checking A24 movies off your list. Also, if you like horror movies, but not scary ones. If you can handle the gore, which isn’t at The Substance levels, but I still wouldn’t show to a kid, then this is fun. Also, for John Malkovich fans, this is a must.

Why You Might Not Like it: very few actors could have done what Malkovich does and make a watchable film out of a mediocre genre less project. So, if you aren’t a Malkovich fan, you are left with a film that really doesn’t work.

Final Thoughts: Even after a second viewing, I’m charmed by Malkovich. truly one of the greatest working actors, and the best reason to check out Opus. It is mind boggling that his scenes for Fantastic Four: First Steps were cut. This is not a man you cut from a film.

Fresh: 6.9/10