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Drama

Opus (2025): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Opus (2025) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
39%
worldwide gross
$2.2M
award nomination
1
Opus (2025) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 43m (103 min)
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
Studio
A24
Budget
$10M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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

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.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in Opus

· 16 more
Ratings

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).

40 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2025 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.2M

22% of its budget back

US & Canada
$2M
International
$203.2K
Budget
$10M
US & Canada 91% Rest of the world 9%
Awards

Opus Awards & Nominations

Opus earned 1 award nomination, including Outstanding Independent Motion Picture at the NAACP Image Awards 2026.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Opus Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser, 1 clip and 3 featurettes.

All 7 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Trailer
  • Teaser Can you handle the truth?
  • Clip Ayo Edebiri’s rise started here… you’ll see why
  • Featurette ‘Dina, Simone’ Visualizer
Quiz

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the pop superstar who hosts the listening party?

Cars

Cars in Opus

8 cars on screen, including the Prevost LeMirage XL-45 and the Yamaha Kodiak.

All 8 cars
  • Prevost LeMirage XL-45 in Opus Prevost LeMirage XL-45 Important role
  • Yamaha Kodiak in Opus Yamaha Kodiak Important role
  • 2011 Dodge Charger Pursuit in Opus 2011 Dodge Charger Pursuit Minor role
  • 2016 Ferrari 488 Challenge in Opus 2016 Ferrari 488 Challenge Minor role
Details

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?

FAQ

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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