Get ready to have your mind twisted and your comfort zone shattered—because Bugonia is here, and it’s not pulling any punches. Directed by the ever-provocative Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Emma Stone, this dark comedy is a wild ride through the absurdity of modern life, with a hefty dose of conspiracy theories and moral ambiguity thrown in for good measure. But here’s where it gets controversial: is this film a brilliant commentary on our fractured society, or just a cynical exercise in discomfort? Let’s dive in.
Based on the 2003 South Korean cult classic Save the Green Planet!, Bugonia transplants the story to a deranged, conspiracy-laden America in 2025. The film doesn’t shy away from tackling the rabbit holes of online extremism, with one character—a disheveled, unhinged young man named Teddy (Jesse Plemons)—revealing his descent through toxic ideologies, from the alt-right and beyond. It’s a stark reflection of our times, and it’s hard not to squirm in recognition.
Bugonia feels like a spiritual cousin to two other 2025 releases: Ari Aster’s absurdist Eddington and Paul Thomas Anderson’s politically charged One Battle After Another. While Eddington leans into farce and Anderson’s film balances politics with thrills, Lanthimos’ work is unrelentingly bleak. It’s not just dark—it’s hopeless, and that’s the point. But is this hopelessness a mirror we need, or just a sledgehammer? That’s the question that lingers long after the credits roll.
Now, I’ll admit, I’ve never been Lanthimos’ biggest fan. His films often feel too cruel, too detached, and Bugonia is no exception. The cruelty is there, though it’s tempered by moments of absurdity. But there are scenes so mean-spirited, so nasty, that they left a sour taste in my mouth. And this is the part most people miss: the film’s scattered narrative, courtesy of Will Tracy’s script, often feels like it’s grasping for a point it never quite lands.
That said, Bugonia isn’t without its strengths. The performances are stellar, particularly from Stone and Plemons. Stone plays Michelle Fuller, a high-powered pharmaceutical executive living in sterile, isolated luxury. Plemons, meanwhile, is magnetic as Teddy, a man whose delusions are as heartbreaking as they are dangerous. Their dynamic—a twisted battle of wits between captor and captive—is the film’s beating heart. Aidan Delbis, playing Teddy’s cousin Don, adds a layer of complexity as an autistic character portrayed by an autistic actor, steering clear of exploitation and becoming the film’s moral compass.
The plot kicks into high gear when Teddy and Don kidnap Michelle, not for ransom, but because Teddy believes she’s an alien from Andromeda. Yes, you read that right. Teddy’s convinced that aliens are secretly enslaving humanity, and Michelle’s the key to stopping them. What follows is a queasy blend of dark humor and psychological tension, as Teddy tries to ‘break’ Michelle, and she fights to maintain her sanity. It’s absurd, it’s unsettling, and it’s undeniably memorable.
But does it all add up? That’s the million-dollar question. Jerskin Fendrik’s chaotic score amplifies the film’s cheeky, almost mocking tone, as if Lanthimos is laughing at us—and maybe at himself. There’s nothing wrong with cynicism, but I’m not sure what Bugonia is trying to say beneath the surface. Is it a critique of conspiracy culture? A commentary on class divide? Or just a gleefully twisted exercise in discomfort?
By the time the blood-soaked finale rolls around, you’ll be equal parts horrified and intrigued. The ending is delightfully morbid, and it almost—almost—redeems the film’s earlier missteps. Bugonia is sick, twisted, and unforgettable, but it’s also a lesser work in the Lanthimos-Stone collaboration. It’s a film that sticks with you, but you’ll be left wondering if it’s for the right reasons.
Controversial Question: Is Bugonia a brilliant critique of our times, or just a cynical exercise in discomfort? Let me know in the comments—I’m genuinely curious to hear your take.
/Film Rating: 7 out of 10
Bugonia hits theaters on October 24, 2025. Brace yourselves.
