Opus Trailer: John Malkovich Is a Pop Star Cult Leader in New A24 Horror Film

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As a passionate cinephile, I can’t help but share my excitement about the chilling trailer for “Opus,” an upcoming horror masterpiece from A24. The sneak peek offers a tantalizing glimpse of John Malkovich‘s spine-tingling portrayal as a charismatic pop star cult leader. This performance, coupled with the ominous atmosphere, sets the tone for a chilling ride.

The story follows Ariel Ecton (Ayo Edebiri), a journalist who uncovers a shocking revelation: Moretti (Malkovich), a musician whose career has been quiet for several decades, is making a comeback. Intrigued, Ariel is one of the lucky few chosen to attend an “exclusive listening experience” at Moretti’s lavish mansion. However, upon arrival, it becomes clear that not everything is as it appears.

Today, A24 unveiled the trailer for the upcoming movie “Opus,” which is set to debut a week prior at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. The festival screening will take place on January 27th. According to the closing title card in the trailer, “Opus” hits theaters on March 14th.

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In 2023, the cast for the movie titled “Opus” was announced, featuring stars like John Malkovich, Kate Berlant, Amber Midthunder known from “Prey”, and others. This is the first full-length directorial endeavor of Mark Anthony Green, who previously worked on a 2017 short film called “Trapeze, U.S.A.”. His earlier work was a comedic exploration of political correctness in America, making “Opus” a new direction for him as he delves into a different cinematic genre.

A24 is well-known among film enthusiasts not only for distributing critically acclaimed films like Oscar winners “Moonlight” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” but also for being a hub of innovative horror movies. Over the last few years, A24 has essentially become synonymous with this genre, launching titles such as “The Witch,” “The Lighthouse,” “Hereditary,” “Talk to Me,” and many more that have struck a chord with horror fans. Last year, A24 released “Heretic,” which garnered broad acclaim, particularly for Hugh Grant’s performance.

The fact that A24 has a strong history of producing engaging films makes audiences eagerly anticipate Opus. It appears to combine spine-tingling suspense with insightful social critique. This film, directed by Green, explores celebrity obsession as its theme; from the trailer, it seems that Ariel is the only one who senses something peculiar about Moretti’s gathering. Throughout the trailer, she’s seen jotting down notes about her encounters, even remarking on a strange “greeter” who welcomes her. The other attendees seem to be unquestioningly enjoying themselves and basking in Moretti’s presence, as if they’re just thrilled to be near their idol. Using a celebrity’s fans as a metaphor for a cult is not entirely original, but Opus could still offer some intriguing surprises and plot twists.

As a cinephile, I’m really looking forward to seeing how ‘Opus’ unfolds once it hits the silver screen. If it turns out to be another success for A24, it might just pave the way for director Green to join the ranks of Ari Aster, Robert Eggers, and Ti West – a trio that has made their mark at this esteemed studio. The fact that he’s collaborating with acting greats like John Malkovich and Naomi Edebiri is a promising sign; Malkovich seems perfect for an unsettling villainous role, while Edebiri’s versatility as the audience’s guide through a harrowing ordeal will surely impress. All in all, ‘Opus’ looks set to be a must-watch for horror enthusiasts when it premieres later this year.

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2025-01-21 18:42