Opus (2025): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
Opus is a 2025 drama directed by Mark Anthony Green, starring John Malkovich as Alfred Moretti, Ayo Edebiri and Murray Bartlett. It runs 1 hour 43 minutes and earned $2.2 million worldwide on a $10 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Outstanding Independent Motion Picture at the NAACP Image Awards 2026. Critics gave it 39% on Rotten Tomatoes and 42 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10. Stream it on Cinemax and HBO Max, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 43m (103 min)
- Director
- Mark Anthony Green
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- A24
- Budget
- $10M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Opus About?
The premise of Opus without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
A young writer is invited to the isolated compound of a reclusive pop star who vanished thirty years prior. Surrounded by the star’s devoted followers and a group of captivated journalists, she discovers she's become entangled in his elaborate and unsettling scheme.
Opus Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- psychological thriller
- 32 year old man
- 27 year old woman
- sushi
- female protagonist
- fame
- journalist
- celebrity
- fans
- nina simone
- 1990s music
- social media
+38 more Show fewer
- invitations
- album
- radio announcement
- bus
- creepy greeter
- note taking
- blue
- no phones allowed
- scars
- vase
- book
- 18th studio album
- food
- steak
- bread
- cult
- stolen lab top
- new song
- bubble gum
- monitoring
- cameras
- camera in room
- being watched
- massage
- being followed
- jogging
- teaching
- young
- painting
- archery
- pearl in oyster
- knife in hand
- freddie mercury
- reference to freddy mercury
- reference to muhammad ali
- chuck norris
- measurement
- voodoo doll
Where to Watch Opus
Stream it on Cinemax and HBO Max, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Opus Cast & Characters
John Malkovich leads the cast as Alfred Moretti, with Ayo Edebiri as Ariel Ecton and Murray Bartlett as Stan Sullivan. Directed by Mark Anthony Green; 20 actors are credited in all.
- Director Mark Anthony Green
-
John Malkovich as Alfred Moretti -
Ayo Edebiri as Ariel Ecton - Murray Bartlett as Stan Sullivan
-
Juliette Lewis as Clara Armstrong
Also Starring in Opus
· 16 more- Melissa Chambers Bianca Tyson
- Stephanie Suganami Emily Katz
- Mark Sivertsen Bill Lotto
- Amber Midthunder Belle
- Tony Hale Soledad Yusef
- Tatanka Means Najee
- Jasper Keen Lee
- Jean Effron Receptionist
- Aimee McGuire Magazine Editor
- Young Mazino Kent
- Peter Diseth Jorg
- Aspen Martinez Maude
- Tamera Tomakili Rachel Malick
- Rose Marley Meizlesh Levelist #1
- Justin Perry Magazine Editor
- Chris Highlands Magazine Editor
Opus Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Opus 39% on Rotten Tomatoes and 42 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 40/100, strongest in character & emotion (65) and weakest in rewatch factor (25).
Opus Echo Score Breakdown
Opus struggles to maintain narrative momentum despite a handful of compelling performances. Critics consistently note a measured pacing that fails to build sufficient suspense, resulting in lazy reveals and an unsatisfying climax. The visual presentation offers a polished sheen, yet the sparse originality in plot structure undermines its thematic intentions. While the leads deliver engaging moments, inconsistent direction and superficial execution diminish the film’s lasting impact. Overall, Opus leaves a tepid impression with limited appeal beyond a single viewing.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 45
In terms of direction and visual design, Opus presents a polished surface but falters under its own pacing choices. The cinematography occasionally provides well-composed frames, though editing decisions rush key developments. Production design contributes a slick ambiance without deeper integration into the narrative. Overall, the film’s art and craft feel uneven, offering style without sustaining form.
- Character & Emotion 65
When it comes to character depth and performances, the leads deliver substantial presence amidst the surrounding weaknesses. Ayo Edebiri’s nuanced portrayal anchors pivotal scenes, complemented by John Malkovich’s distinctive energy. However, supporting roles lack dimensionality, and emotional arcs remain underexplored. While acting stands out as a core strength, character development beyond the protagonists is notably thin.
- Story & Flow 30
In terms of narrative coherence and pacing, the story of Opus struggles with inconsistent tension and derivative elements. Plot revelations arrive abruptly, leaving limited engagement with the unfolding mystery. Attempts at originality are overshadowed by familiar thriller tropes, and the resolution fails to provide satisfying closure. Overall, the storyline lacks cohesion and emotional resonance, undermining audience investment.
- Sensory Experience 50
When considering the sensory experience, Opus exhibits a refined audio-visual presentation that occasionally impresses. The soundtrack by Nile Rodgers integrates with ambient sound design to create intermittent atmosphere. Visually, a clean aesthetic lends brief moments of mood, yet the overall style lacks distinctive flair. The sensory elements contribute surface-level appeal but do not fully immerse the viewer.
- Rewatch Factor 25
Regarding replay value, Opus offers limited incentive for subsequent viewings. The narrative’s paucity of nuance and predictable beats leave little to discover on repeat watches. While certain performances may warrant revisiting, overall engagement diminishes quickly, and the tension that drives horror elements does not sustain after the first screening. The film lacks enduring appeal.
-
IMDb 5.7 /10
13979 votes
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 39% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 61%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 42 Metascore
User score 4.2
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 56% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.7 /5
199827 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Opus Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Opus from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Pop superstar Alfred Moretti announces his first new album in 30 years and invites six guests to a listening party at his Utah compound: journalists Stan Sullivan and Ariel Ecton, talk show host Clara Armstrong, influencer Emily Katz, paparazza Bianca Tyson, and radio shock jock Bill Lotto. Their invitations come with assorted merch, the new album, and a book.
Upon arrival, a staff of denim-clad cultists collects everyone’s devices, and Moretti presents himself as a member of the Levelists — a cult that reveres the book given to each guest. Ariel feels unsettled by the atmosphere, while the others are thrilled to be in Moretti’s orbit.
Full summary
The whole story of Opus, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Opus Box Office & Budget
Opus grossed $2.2 million worldwide on a $10 million budget, 22% of what it cost. $2 million came from the US and Canada and $203,196 (9%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$2.2M
22% of its budget back
- US & Canada
- $2M
- International
- $203.2K
- Budget
- $10M
Opus Awards & Nominations
Opus earned 1 award nomination, including Outstanding Independent Motion Picture at the NAACP Image Awards 2026.
1 nomination1 ceremony
-
NAACP Image Awards 2026 1 nomination- Nominated Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
Opus Trailers & Videos
7 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser, 1 clip and 3 featurettes.
- Trailer Trailer
- Teaser Can you handle the truth?
- Clip Ayo Edebiri’s rise started here… you’ll see why
- Featurette ‘Dina, Simone’ Visualizer
How Well Do You Know Opus?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the pop superstar who hosts the listening party?
Cars in Opus
8 cars on screen, including the Prevost LeMirage XL-45 and the Yamaha Kodiak.
-
Prevost LeMirage XL-45 Important role -
Yamaha Kodiak Important role -
2011 Dodge Charger Pursuit Minor role -
2016 Ferrari 488 Challenge Minor role
Opus Also Known As
8 alternative titles, including “致命著作” and “오퍼스”.
- Also known as
-
- 致命著作
- 오퍼스
- Опус
- Opus - Venera la tua stella
- Oopus
- Alfred Morettis Opus
- אופוס
- Opus: Hào Quang Lạc Lối
Seen Opus?
Movies Like Opus
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Opus Zero, Lurker and Monolith.
Articles About Opus
Our article about Opus: “Opus (2025) - Reviews, Opinions & Reception Analysis of the Film”.
-
Opinions
Opus FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of Opus, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Opus?
Opus runs 1 hour 43 minutes (103 minutes).
When was Opus released?
Opus was released on March 14, 2025.
Who directed Opus?
Opus was directed by Mark Anthony Green.
Who is in the cast of Opus?
Opus stars John Malkovich as Alfred Moretti, Ayo Edebiri as Ariel Ecton and Murray Bartlett as Stan Sullivan, among 20 credited actors.
Where can I watch Opus?
In the US, Opus is streaming on Cinemax and HBO Max and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Opus make at the box office?
Opus grossed $2.2 million worldwide ($2 million domestic, $203,196 international) on a budget of $10 million.
How is Opus rated?
Opus has 5.7/10 on IMDb, 39% on Rotten Tomatoes, 42 on Metacritic and 56% on TMDB.
Was Opus nominated for any awards?
Opus received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.
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