Opus

We talk about how impressive the filmmaking is, Malkovich’s unexpectedly convincing pop-star performance (including a full in-movie album), and the movie’s strong, tense, twisty atmosphere that sometimes evokes The Menu. We walk through the plot’s creepy compound setting, escalating cult behavior, and the violent reveal, then debate the ending’s explanation that everything was orchestrated so Ariel could escape and publish an exposé. One of us loved the ride and performances, while the other found the message and payoffs frustratingly vague, though we still recommend checking it out.