“Opus” Review: A Lukewarm Critique of Celebrity Culture and Journalism

Mark Anthony Green’s “Opus” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to a lukewarm response, and deservedly so. The film attempts to critique celebrity culture and journalism but fails to clearly articulate its viewpoint. Despite the film’s lackluster plot, John Malkovich’s performance provides a glimmer of redemption. The narrative follows a legendary pop artist, Alfred Moretti, who after years of seclusion is set to release a new album, sparking worldly anticipation. However, the film’s progress is marred by insubstantial character development and a storyline that doesn’t fully realize its potential. The film will open on March 14, 2025.

– “Opus,” a film about celebrity culture and the journalists that surround it, was heavily criticized at its Sundance Film Festival premiere for its lack of a clear point of view, lack of humor and horror, and its tedious nature.
– The film centers on legendary pop artist, Alfred Moretti (John Malkovich), who after disappearing suddenly announces a comeback album, leading a group of journalists to his secluded compound where they experience the peculiarities of his new cult-like lifestyle.
– Criticism is also targeted at the film’s underused cast, with Malkovich’s performance singled out as the only highlight; the film is accused of lacking intrigue, being “weird for the sake of weird,” and misunderstanding the difference between simply adding elements to a story and having something substantial to say.

Mark Anthony Green’s “Opus” made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival on Monday to a largely disappointed audience (myself included), leaving viewers questioning its intended message and purpose. Touted as a critique of the perpetually adulated celebrity culture and its over-indulged journalistic counterparts, “Opus” hurls countless discussion topics at the viewers but fails to articulate a solid perspective to grapple with.

Arguably, the film’s lack of depth comes second to its aggressive unentertainment – bereft of both humor and horror. The redeeming feature of this cinematic ordeal is the vibrant performance by acclaimed actor, John Malkovich, who just manages to keep it afloat from being branded a catastrophic failure.

The film posits Malkovich as a reclusive legendary pop artist, Alfred Moretti, who is poised to launch his comeback album after a long hiatus. The narrative unravels in Moretti’s extravagant estate, filled with devoted followers (alluding heavily to a cult), journalists, and a spate of characters played by the likes of Juliette Lewis, Tony Hale, Melissa Chambers, and Stephanie Suganami.

The narrative trajectory of “Opus”, however, is predictable, making the journey rather than the destination its primary focus – resulting in an uninspiring and tiring experience. The only discerning character amidst the blind fanfare for Moretti’s charisma is the rookie journalist, Ariel Ecton (played by Ayo Edebiri). She insists on penning the true narrative behind Moretti’s transformation into a cult leader, rather than serving up the resurfacing pop star fable.

Unfortunately, the film’s potential critique of celebrity culture and its parasitic journalistic indulgence falls flat. Green’s film seems stuck in a rut of uninspired and unengaging scenes, saved intermittently by Malkovich’s impressive portrayal as the elusive pop star. Regrettably, most of the talented cast remains underutilized, with even Edebiri playing more of a plot device than a developed character.

“Opus” seems to struggle with its own potential, never fully realizing its premise or exploring its themes in any considerable depth. The film touches upon many disruptive and chaotic elements of the central narrative but fails to fully capitalize on the inherent tension and drama these elements could offer, leaning instead into being simply strange for strangeness’ sake.

“Opus” attempts to say something substantial about modern celebrity culture and journalism, yet it never manages to deliver its message in a compelling or coherent form. What may have been intended as a grand critique instead seems a wayward attempt, one where simply speaking is equated to actually having something of substance to say.

RATING: 1.5 out of 5 stars.

“Opus” will be released on March 14, 2025. The film was screened at Sundance on January 27th.

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