Every Opus Surprise Celebrity Cameo Explained

Ayo Edebiri recently starred in the musical thriller Opus, which not only includes a cast of big names, but also has various celebrity cameos throughout. Opus follows Edebiri as journalist Ariel Eckton, who dreams of making it big as a writer, but has yet to find her breakthrough moment. However, when famed musician, Moretti, returns after 30 years of silence and invites Ariel to an exclusive listening party, she sees an opportunity. Surrounded by celebrities and Moretti’s dedicated cult of followers, Ariel begins to wonder if this gathering is more invasive than it originally seemed.

The cast of Opus is a unique mix of established and rising stars. Alongside Edebiri, who has garnered increasing fame for her role as Sydney in The Bear, White Lotus’s Murray Bartlett, Reservation Dogs’ Amber Midthunder, and Beef’s Young Mazino also appear. Some more familiar faces from Opus include John Malkovich as the eccentric Moretti and Juliette Lewis as a sultry talk show host. If this doesn’t seem like enough talent, Opus gives one final push of celebrity by including a number of brief celebrity cameos from the likes of Rosario Dawson and Lil Nas X.

4

Lil Nas X

A Moretti Fan

Close

One of the very first celebrity cameos included in Opus comes from rapper Lil Nas X. Near the beginning of the movie, audiences are shown a montage of various people enjoying one of Moretti’s hit songs. This moment showcases how people from all different backgrounds can come together to enjoy the music of Moretti, proving just how popular he is. One particular shot shows Lil Nas X hanging out in what seems to be a backyard, perhaps by a pool, enjoying Moretti’s music.

John Malkovich lounges by the pool in Opus

Related

Where To Watch Opus: Showtimes & Streaming Status

Opus is a new A24 psychological thriller movie starring Ayo Edebiri and John Malkovich about a famous pop star and his mysterious cult.

Posts

Although Lil Nas X is not known for being an actor, he has proven through his music career that he has a flair for theatrics. For example, the rapper’s music videos are often big productions where Lil Nas X takes center stage. He fully embodies whatever concept is at play. Therefore, his appearance in Opus is a fun introduction into the wider world of film, and succeeds at showing that artists of all different genres can enjoy Moretti.

3

Lenny Kravitz

Another Moretti Lover

Close

A second celebrity who makes an appearance in this Moretti montage is Lenny Kravitz. Since the late 1980s, Kravitz has been a stand-out in genres like rock, funk, reggae, hard rock, soul, and R&B. Similar to Lil Nas X, Kravitz’s cameo comes during the montage of Moretti’s song. He is shown driving a car, jamming out to the music. Once again, this shows that artists of varying generations and genres have an appreciation for Moretti.

Opus is far from Kravitz’s first on-screen appearance in a movie. Over the years, Kravitz has made numerous cameo appearances as himself in movies like Zoolander and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Kravitz has also taken on real roles, such as Nurse John in Precious and Cinna in the Hunger Games franchise.

2

Bill Burr

Podcast Host

Close

The celebrity with arguably the biggest cameo in Opus is Bill Burr. In the movie, Burr is hosting his podcast and discussing the return of Moretti. Rather than appearing in a brief shot without dialogue, like the other celebrities on this list, Burr is given a chance to play an alternate version of himself where he cracks jokes about Moretti. Although his scene is not particularly long, it is a fun merging of fiction and reality.

imagery from Opus

Related

Opus Ending Explained: How Ariel Survived The Cult

A24’s new film, Opus, sees Ayo Edebiri’s Ariel face off against the pop star Moretti and his cult, but the ending is more complicated than it seems.

Posts

Like Kravitz, Burr also has a tendency to appear on-screen, both as himself and in supporting roles. He has appeared in a wide array of movies since 2000, including The King of Staten Island and Unfrosted. On top of that, he has taken on roles in popular television series like The Mandalorian, Reservation Dogs, and Barry.

1

Rosario Dawson

A Billie Holiday Puppet

Close

Finally, a celebrity cameo that audiences might have missed is Rosario Dawson portraying the voice of Billie Holiday. At the climax of Opus, Ariel and her peers are invited to watch a children’s puppet show that becomes creepy incredibly fast. Surrounded by rotting mice paparazzi, a puppet Billie Holiday is asked various personal questions that invade her privacy and insult her. The voice of this puppet is Dawson, who perfectly embodies the legendary singer.

Although Dawson’s cameo is not as glamorous as her peers, it is probably the most pivotal. This puppet show scene is really the crux of what Opus is trying to say about fame and privacy. The way that Billie is berated by the media is how Moretti feels, and thus, is the feeling he tries to force onto Ariel. Overall, Dawson gives a haunting vocal performance, and helps make Opus that much more gripping.

Movie

My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist

Success!

Opus Official Poster

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Opus

R

Horror

Music

Thriller

ScreenRant logo

7/10

10/10

Release Date

March 14, 2025

Runtime

103 minutes

Director

Mark Anthony Green

Writers

Mark Anthony Green

Producers

Nile Rodgers, Charles D. King, Joshua Bachove, The-Dream, Brad Weston, Poppy Hanks

Cast

  • Headshot Of Ayo Edebiri In The Los Angeles Season 3 Premiere Of 'The Bear'

    Ayo Edebiri

    Ariel Ecton

  • John Malkovich Profile Picture

    John Malkovich

    Alfred Moretti

Powered by

Expand
Collapse

Leave a Comment