A magnum opus? Mark Anthony Inexperienced’s filmmaking debut will not be. His Opus inspects superstar cult standing by way of pop superstardom with the identical unease as a Midsommar or The Sacrament, besides oddly restrained. Excessive factors are simple: John Malkovich as a Liberace x Mercury idol, very A24-coded types, and Ayo Edebiri being Ayo. It is undeniably completed on technical fronts for a coming-out function, however issues with the third act’s payoff diminish Opus’ devilish enchantment.
Storytelling revolves round Malkovich’s scene-stealing Alfred Moretti — a bedazzled, flamboyant musical legend who pronounces his first album in a long time. Business media gamers are invited to his secluded desert compound for a personal listening occasion: music journalist Stan Sullivan (Murray Bartlett), paparazzi extraordinaire Bianca Tyson (Melissa Chambers), mega influencer Emily Katz (Stephanie Suganami), podcaster Invoice Lotto (Mark Sivertsen), and tv character Carla Armstrong (Juliette Lewis). The one outlier is Sullivan’s worker, Ariel Ecton (Edebiri), an keen rookie hungry to make her title within the journalism scene. Moretti welcomes his friends in anticipation of Caesar’s Request, however Ariel is instantly irked by her cult-like environment. Ariel is not shopping for Moretti’s lavish hospitality or his “Levelist” beliefs, nor does she wish to write simply one other puff piece a couple of mad god.
It is a film caught between Theater of Blood, any Jonestown remix, and Mindhunter. Inexperienced’s themes present a curiosity in sycophantic components tied to parasocial relationships with entertainers, however follow-through is stunted. There’s a lot in play as publishers forgo integrity when wined and dined by expertise, whether or not Ariel’s mocked by friends for her investigations or Moretti teaches about questionable Levelist mantras. There’s loads of obscurity in Opus, from oyster-shucking rights of passage to uncomfortable grooming requests, however they’re extra like standalone vignettes. Scenes may be so enrapturing, leaning on pressure derived from Moretti’s blatant sinister undertones, however then we’re on to the subsequent depraved nugget with out taking time to wallow in passing discomfort.
Malkovich’s completely attention-grabbing flip because the “Wizard of Wiggle” comes with three boppy unique recordings from the actor’s mouth. He wears gaudy, glistening fashions with supreme confidence, sells a deity-like composure, and rocks onerous as a Euro-trance singer who can nonetheless seize audiences as a intercourse image. Moretti’s all the time in management, and Malkovich relishes the gamesmanship of his place. There’s nothing higher than Moretti hip-thrusting whereas placing on a live performance for his invitees, dressed like a disco-ball Daft Punk member, but it surely’s not all about audacity. Malkovich clues into the sinister sophistication behind Moretti’s Levelist congregation, balancing mood with tact — however he is by no means higher than when skinny facades drop like a velvet curtain.
The friends exist to fall sufferer to Moretti’s charms, which is par for a narrative corresponding to Opus. Bartlett friends with Moretti like they’re schoolyard bros, Lewis dances erotically with the eccentric, and Chambers loses herself to Moretti’s twinkling eyes. Starpower is a helluva drug, and Inexperienced has a blast making the movie’s business professionals look silly underneath Moretti’s spell — besides Edebiri. She’s the “virgin” of the group, the untrained new blood who questions Moretti’s model of unique bribery even earlier than everybody at dinner takes a chunk of the identical bread loaf. It is prime Edebiri as Ariel barks conspiracy warnings at fame and alcohol-drunk rubes, staying blunt and skeptical a lot to Moretti’s amusement. Cat-and-mouse antics are entertaining, whether or not the ignorant indulge or Ariel questions motivations, however intoxicating opulence methods solely carry up to now.
Opus is a sluggish burn towards an inevitable eruption, however Inexperienced fails the movie’s payoff climax. Tease after tease stokes anticipation for Moretti’s large reveal, no matter’s being cooked behind surveillance cameras and closed doorways, but it surely’s over in a blink. Affected person Levelists performed by Amber Midthunder and Peter Diseth hardly get their releases, or much more frustratingly, the group’s destiny runs oddly unfulfilling given the swiftness of outcomes. Inexperienced’s ready sport does not beget an equal reward, even with a couple of gross-out physique horror gags and harsh bloodiness.
And but, the movie continues onward. Opus struggles to capitalize on its themes and overcomplicates messaging because the third act interprets right into a hidden fourth epilogue. Inexperienced addresses a listing of points in leisure circles, press protection, and society, however plot threads usually fray, left dangling. Manufacturing designers obtain such intricate visuals whether or not kids placed on rat-faced puppet reveals or Ariel darts by way of Moretti’s absolutely immersive museum of costumes and paraphernalia, however the weekend’s occasions meander. Picturesque cult backdrops of tents in fields and matching uniforms are shot with panache, however buttoned-up type by no means harmonizes with substance.
That mentioned? Opus stays a satisfactory remodeling of conventional cultism tropes. With Malkovich front-and-center, he works the proverbial runway and shines within the highlight. Exterior of the mesmeric idolization and Moretti’s presence? Opus is not as revolutionary. Inexperienced goals for the celebs along with his debut and undoubtedly flashes eye-catching expertise, however there is a lack of completion. Graded on its spotlight reel, Opus earns a thumbs up — however spectacle and sizzle do not distract from extra vital storytelling blockers.
Film Rating: 3/5
