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Opus is a film directed by Mark Anthony Green. It shows the dark side of celebrity culture. The movie premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. It includes strong performances. They are from Ayo Edebiri and John Malkovich. Edebiri plays Ariel Ecton. She is a young journalist. The journalist wants to make a name for herself. She receives an invitation to a unique event. This is hosted by Malkovich’s character, Alfred Moretti. Continue reading to learn more about the ending of Opus.
Ariel’s Journey to the Commune
Ariel travels to Moretti’s desert commune. There are five other guests. They attend a listening party. This is Moretti’s first album in thirty years. Ariel wants to take this chance seriously. However, she quickly notices strange and sinister things about Moretti and his cult. They are known as the Levelists. Her situation becomes more dangerous as the story unfolds. One by one, her companions begin to disappear. Thus, Moretti’s actions grow increasingly disturbing.
The Puppet Show and the Escape
Ariel is forced to stay for a puppet show during the event. This is called “The Tragedy of Billie”. The show includes decaying stuffed rats questioning a puppet version of Billie Holiday. It is unsettling and bizarre. The other guests are attacked soon after. There are several dead. Ariel manages to escape. However, she is caught later.
Ariel wakes up tied to a chair. She witnesses a mass suicide ritual. Here, cult members plan to drink poisoned champagne. She is about to be forced to drink. However, a cult member shows her mercy and helps her escape. Ariel runs to the police the next morning. They find Moretti playing the piano. This is next to the dead bodies of her companions. However, the cult members are missing. Moretti gets arrested.
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The Cult’s Plan for Ariel
Ariel seems to be getting a happy ending at first glance. The murderer is caught. She gained fame for her story. However, there is a shocking twist. Moretti reveals that he always planned for Ariel to survive. Also, he wanted her to write about him and the Levelists. This was to gain attention. The cult saw Ariel as a way to spread their beliefs. They intended to use her as an unsuspecting vessel for their message.
Moretti’s Motives for Murder
Moretti is an interesting villain in Opus. John plays him with a chaotic and compelling energy. Also, he often appears silly. His songs are nonsensical. His dancing is ridiculous. Moreover, his outfits are flamboyant. However, he is also deeply obsessed with getting attention. His motivation for murder is shallow and self-serving.
Moretti plans the murder to gain attention for the Levelists. He plans to attract new followers. Thus, he chooses victims based on personal vendettas. Each guest at the listening party has slighted him in a way. They have taken a bad photo or made a negative comment. This shows Moretti’s fragile ego. Also, it shows the emptiness of his artistic vision.
Opus’s Ending
Opus explores the power of celebrity and the desire for greatness. The film uses Ariel’s perspective. This is to show the extremes of celebrity fan culture. Her companions fall quickly under Moretti’s influence. Ariel observes their absurdity. The film suggests that many fans blindly follow celebrities. Celebrities also encourage this behavior.
The beginning and ending of the film show the consequences of seeking fame. Ariel starts as an unremarkable person. However, she becomes successful because of Moretti’s actions. Her eagerness to succeed attracts Moretti’s attention. He knows that she will write about her experiences. This is without considering how it will benefit him.
