Phil Roberts 
Yorgos Lanthimos’ Bugonia is another zany, well-executed, and intoxicating addition to his filmography. Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons deliver mesmerising performances in this bizarre, twisted battle of ideologies.
Yorgos Lanthimos returns this week with Bugonia, another zany, provocative feature with his regular collaborator Emma Stone. The film is a loose remake of the Korean movie Save the Green Planet!, a science fiction black comedy that is not Lanthimos’ usual fare. But after delivering two incredible films in Poor Things and Kinds of Kindness, who are we to stand in the way of this visionary director?
The film follows a delusional conspiracy theorist, played by Jesse Plemons, whose paranoia drives him to kidnap the CEO of a pharmaceutical company, portrayed by Stone. His audacious plan is to force her to confess that she is an alien invader. Yes, you read that correctly—an alien invader sent to Earth to infiltrate society and disrupt the planet’s natural balance, ultimately leading to humanity’s demise. So, can Lanthimos do the unthinkable and apply his usual magic to deliver another banger? Or is Bugonia one zany, creative hurdle too far?
REVIEW
Fear not, film fans, because Yorgos Lanthimos’ Bugonia is another zany, well-executed, and intoxicating addition to his filmography. Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons deliver mesmerising performances in this bizarre, twisted, and stylised battle of ideologies. It’s brave but bizarre…in a good way. The cinematography is gorgeous, the score is hauntingly brilliant, and the satire is incredibly on point. That, coupled with some incredible performances from its limited cast, ensures Lanthimos’ winning streak continues. Although the film stutters under its often jarring pacing and outlandish yet compelling storyline, it ultimately becomes a bizarre, absurd, and thoroughly compelling watch.
EMMA STONE
Emma Stone’s relationship with Lanthimos has delivered cinematic gold in recent years, so it comes as no surprise that she has reunited with him here. Her commitment to the project is admirable, even to the point of shaving her hair for the cause (it’s a plot point, trust me!), and that is a testament to her faith in the director’s vision.
The screenplay rewards Stone with another well-layered, intricate character, who is a joy to unravel. Her energy in the role is infectious, and although the character’s arrogance literally oozes through the screen, she makes a compelling case for herself. Being accused of being an alien invader is literally one of the most outrageous claims anyone will ever face. But Stone’s Michelle Fuller takes the accusation in her stride and arrogantly builds a defence, all the while playing her accuser’s game and moving figurative pieces around the chessboard. This methodical game of virtual chess is a joy to watch, as both she and her captor exchange ideologies and unravel each other’s arguments.
JESSE PLEMONS
On the other side of the game board is Teddy Gatz, played by the incredible Jesse Plemons. I once singled Plemons out for his incredible scene-stealing qualities, and the actor lives up to that praise here. In “Teddy,” Plemons has created one of the most surreal characters to ever appear on screen. This character’s intellect stands in stark contrast to his paranoia, making for a strange and unsettling combination. He is a well-educated individual who believes in some of the most outrageous conspiracy theories, which is both bizarre and chilling. History has shown that many people have committed heinous acts in the name of these theories. When this theme is explored in a controlled environment, it serves as a disturbing reminder of the power of the human mind.
Plemons once again uses these character traits to deliver a chilling antagonist. The performance is so alluring that we sympathize with him, even when he takes things to the edge of reason and unleashes his brutal ferocity on Stone’s Michelle Fuller. We are constantly on edge, knowing that any straw could break the camel’s back and send Teddy into a psychotic break, and it is unnerving to watch this paranoia deepen throughout the film’s 118-minute running time.
SETTING
Matching the performances in their impressiveness is the gorgeous cinematography helmed by Robbie Ryan. The film plays out on an idyllic rural farm, where honey bees flutter amid a sea of colorful flowers, gathering nectar. The scenery is gorgeous, showcasing nature’s beauty. This contrasts with the plot, in which Fuller’s company is accused of polluting the environment and destroying natural resources. This beautiful setting continues until Teddy pulls Fuller into the basement, where it transforms into a scene from a horror film. The basement is dark, dingy, and oppressive, adding even more weight to the unnerving storyline. Jerskin Fendrix’s outrageous soundtrack only intensifies the film’s bizarreness. His cues are as bombastic as they feel misplaced —sometimes even comedically so —but the sudden jolt of powerful music keeps the audience on edge.
In truth, the score never allows the audience to settle into a rhythm, and that is both brilliant and infuriating. This unsettling formula also bleeds into the film’s pacing, resulting in a midsection that is a chore to sit through. It is here that Don (Aidan Delbis), Teddy’s neurodivergent cousin, comes to the fore and steals the show.
AIDAN DELBIS
In his limited but heartwarming role, we meet a character who is inherently a good soul, corrupted by his cousin’s paranoia. Don is obviously on the spectrum, and it is jarring to see a character taken advantage of so readily. We instantly feel for Don and long for his well-being, even when he follows his cousin down the rabbit hole. In truth, this is the human character that deserves to be the main focal point. Will Tracy’s sharp screenplay clearly has satirical messaging woven into it, and Lanthimos brings it to the fore in spades. The storyline brings the abuse of these individuals into the limelight and sparks a painful but necessary conversation, which is admirable, and I applaud the effort. However, this is just one of the film’s quirky plot points that leave the audience questioning whether to take it seriously.
VERDICT
Overall, Bugonia is a brilliantly frustrating mixed bag. On the one hand, the performances are spectacular and deserve to be considered for awards season. On the other hand, the peculiar blend of stylistic choices, the bizarre but winning soundtrack, the outrageous arguments, and the darker twists make the film an odd pill to swallow. The main issue is whether to take the movie seriously. It’s fiction and should be treated as such, but the narrative and the path chosen for its character closely approach reality—and that is the most jarring component of the film.
In the end, its quality is all down to your interpretation. For me, the film was compelling, entertaining, unsettling, and utterly bizarre, all at once. It is an artistic treasure trove that deserves exploration. However, as the credits roll and we reflect on what we’ve just seen, you may find yourself questioning what all the fuss was about.
The truth is out there, and the truth is Bugonia is an artistic enigma. Enjoy!
Bugonia arrives in UK cinemas on October 31st
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
