Opus(2025)

Ariel (Ayo Edebiri) is NOT paranoid.

Pop superstar Alred Moretti (John Malkoivich) and his cult, “Levelist” are planning something against the listening group. After a disturbing puppet show, Ariel and the group discover the cult has poisoned Emily (Stephanie Suganami) with a substance that causes her body to swell until she suffocates. The cult then kills Ariel’s boss Stan (Murray Bartlett) and Bianca (Melissa Chambers). Ariel tries to flee, finding the severed head of Bill (Mark Siversten) and cyanide before being captured by Belle (Amber Midthunder), her handler.

That night during the “departure ceremony” Moretti seemingly has his cult drink poison champagne, which they also force on Clara (Juliette Lewis). Ariel, meanwhile, is freed by an apparent sympathetic cultist, allowing her to escape and bring back the cops. Moretti is arrested for the five murders, but the cult members are never found.

Two years later, Ariel has written a successful book and got the career she wanted. She is granted an interview with Moretti who explains he killed the others due to them being the epitome of what kills talent and creativity (though Ariel countering he had his personal, petty reasons for doing so). Moretti then tells her the Levelist’s are still alive, and have reintegrated into society, waiting for their moment to take over. He also explains they had always intended to keep her alive, given she was an unbiased, uncorrupt “vessel” in order to bring forth the teachings of the cult through her writing.

In the final scene, Ariel is doing a television interview, when she notices the presenter wearing a pearl necklace, just like the Levelist’s earn through their trials. Ariel is stunned silent realizing everything Moretti told her was true, and she unwittingly helped spread the cult.