Katie Power reviews Bugonia (2025), the most recent mind-bending and twisting collaboration between Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos.
The release of the highly anticipated film Bugonia (2025) on October 31st meant that I immediately booked my tickets. The film, starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, is another black comedy/thriller directed by the critically acclaimed Yorgos Lanthimos. The film also features an ensemble cast of Aiden Delbis, Alicia Silverstone and Stavros Halkias. Produced by Stone herself, and with a runtime of just under two hours, the film has so far received generally positive reviews. It’s a perfect watch for those who love an artistic ‘mind bender’ movie.
Adapted from the 2003 film Save the Green Planet! with a screenplay by Will Tracey, Michelle Fuller (Stone) is the high-flying female CEO of a large pharmaceutical company, Auxolith. She is kidnapped at the beginning of the film by two male conspiracy theorists, Teddy (Plemons) and Don (Delbis), who are convinced that Fuller is a disguised alien from the Andromeda galaxy, secretly destroying earth. The film sees the two men holding her captive in their basement, torturing her in the hopes that she will bring them to her ‘mothership’.
“He [Plemons] embodies the crazed, greased and conspiracy obsessed individual that makes a surreal film suddenly terrifyingly realistic, in our new age of AI, the dark web and incel culture.”
Firstly, the performances from Stone and Plemons are nothing short of incredible. It was truly engaging to watch these characters be brought to life. From rigid beauty regimes to careful captivation navigation, Stone plays the cold and calculated CEO perfectly. Plemons brings tension and discomfort to the screen through his unhinged rendition of Teddy Gatz. He embodies the crazed, greased, and conspiracy-obsessed individual who makes a surreal film suddenly and terrifyingly realistic in our new age of AI, the dark web, and incel culture. Moreover, his character does a great job at critiquing how easily people can become misinformed.
The film's soundtrack is excellent, heightening the balance of humour and tension in almost every scene. From Chappell Roan to dramatic ensembles, I found myself either laughing or jolting in dread as the threatening scores thundered through the cinema. The scenes are beautifully shot, capturing multiple tones and atmospheres throughout the film. Whether showcasing scenic views of greenery, wealthy office interiors, extraterrestrial concepts, or the grimy basement that confines Fuller, the film is a visual pleasure.
Stone has featured in many of director Lanthimos’ past projects, including Kinds of Kindness (2024), Poor Things (2023), and The Favourite (2018). These films are often considered to hold residence in the Art genre, with consistent strange plots, unsettling twists, and fantastic visuals. Stone’s appearance in these films calls into question her career trajectory, and proposes the indication that she may now be committed to this type of alternative film.
“Although the days of mainstream but loveable romcoms like CrazyStupidLove (2011) and Easy A (2010) may be gone, it's interesting to see her develop as an actor in this genre.”
Although the days of mainstream but loveable romcoms like CrazyStupidLove (2011) and Easy A (2010) may be gone, it's interesting to see her develop as an actor in this genre. This latest collaboration means that I look forward to any future partnerships that she may endeavour to engage in with Lanthimos. That being said, I definitely wouldn’t say no to a Ryan Gosling reunion.
Although I had a great experience watching this film, my one main gripe would be the slight overuse of dialogue between cousins Teddy and Don, generating a lull in the middle of the film. The viewer can understand that some of the slower scenes were necessary for the plot, though they did drag at times. However, the mind shattering climax of the film redeems this uncertain lull, providing a reward of sorts for the audience's patience .
Another critique I have is with the character Don (Aiden Delbis), who is Teddy's cousin, accomplice, and an individual with an intellectual disability. I felt that his character’s purpose was intended to represent human compassion, as he often expressed anxiety and fear over Teddy's actions. Instead, his persona translated to a form of comedic relief that didn’t always work. At times his character was funny, although it often fell flat and unserious. I think the film and its climax would have benefitted from offering a more in-depth exploration of Don's role in the film, with opportunities to potentially show his inner turmoil as an individual with an intellectual disability being pressured into his cousin’s plight.
Overall, although I loved this film, I recognize that it won’t appeal to everyone. The film itself is artistic, twist-filled and edgy, with a streak of gory running through it. These qualities can be extremely enticing for some but risk being off-putting for others. Cinematically, it’s truly beautiful to watch, and Stone and Plemons have done a fantastic job bringing the story to life. Despite the small issues I found, I recommend just sitting back and enjoying the weird and wild ride that it is.