A24’s ‘Opus’ Debuts as Ambitious Cult Thriller Exploring Celebrity and Power

Mark Anthony Green's directorial debut, starring Ayo Edebiri and John Malkovich, premieres at Sundance with a mix of satire, horror, and social commentary.

‘Opus’ follows a reclusive pop star, played by John Malkovich, who invites journalists and acquaintances to a compound, leading to cult-like chaos.
The cast features Ayo Edebiri as an aspiring journalist and includes Juliette Lewis, Murray Bartlett, and Stephanie Suganami in supporting roles.
Mark Anthony Green, a former GQ writer, channels his experiences with celebrity culture into this genre-blending film, which critiques fame, fandom, and media dynamics.
The film received mixed reviews, with praise for its performances but criticism of its heavy-handed messaging and reliance on familiar genre tropes.
Shot on a tight budget in 19 days, the film includes original music by Nile Rodgers and The-Dream and will be released in theaters on March 14.