Movie Review: Bugonia
One-liner: Strong performances, sharp writing and suspenseful storytelling fuel this outlandish dark comedy mystery thriller.
Bugonia is a curious blend of mystery thriller, quirky dark comedy and reflective drama. Boasting a sharp modern edge, it centres on a collision between two fringe conspiracy theorists and a high-powered corporate executive. Convinced of her “true” extra-terrestrial nature, the men take her hostage, hoping to extract information in a desperate, carefully calibrated bid to restore world order. However, as they soon discover, planning a revolution is a far cry from the messy reality of a headline-making kidnapping.
The story follows Teddy, a wayward conspiracist, and his naïve sidekick, Don, as they attempt to hold their captive in a basement. Once the executive realizes this isn’t a simple ransom demand, but rather a series of outlandish accusations regarding her being an alien overlord, she attempts to unpick the situation with her superior intellect. It’s a fascinating dynamic; her attempts at psychological outmaneuvering are often lost on these strange, unconventional men who exist on the very fringes of society.
Based on the South Korean cult classic Save the Green Planet!, Bugonia sees director Yorgos Lanthimos re-teaming with Emma Stone following her Oscar-winning turn in Poor Things. This proven duo has unearthed yet another gem of a role that’s destined for awards season glory. While perhaps not quite as visually audacious as their previous collaboration, Bugonia is just as wacky, yet feels significantly more grounded. Lanthimos uses the remake to explore corporate greed, weaving his own societal critique through the film’s complex characters and intricate plotting.
In an age of digital echo chambers and media-fueled paranoia, the film’s premise feels unsettlingly plausible – bizarre, yet within reach. Stone is tasked with portraying a razor-sharp CEO type, whose ruthless efficiency has alienated her from her own elite social circles. The stark contrast between her high-flying lifestyle and the grime of the basement highlights her resilience; her professional training makes her a much more capable detainee than her captors ever anticipated.
“Well, someone’s gotta save the green planet!”
The mesmerising film also stars Jesse Plemons, one of the most dependable actors working today, who brings a palpable sense of authenticity to the screen. A constant contender, Plemons’ zealous and utterly convinced performance makes him a worthy adversary for Stone’s Michelle. Their psychological sparring, and their mutual attempts to win over the impressionable middleman, creates a compelling game of human chess.
As Don, Aidan Delbis provides an interesting balance, allowing a gentle yet misaligned character to surface. His innocence and trusting nature make him the perfect pawn in this volatile game of cat-and-mouse. Given its intimate, “boxed-in” nature and the focused intensity of its three leads, Bugonia could easily have been a stage play – a claustrophobic hostage scenario that keeps the audience on edge.
The film’s exploration of coercion, manipulation and brainwashing creates a deeply unsettling effect. Some moments are so jarring they become truly disturbing, yet in isolation, they remain oddly watchable. Teetering on a knife’s edge, Bugonia leans into ambiguity, never quite revealing its hand regarding the reality of its bizarre headspace. This curious tension adds a rich, final layer to what is a standout dark comedy turned mystery thriller from Yorgos Lanthimos with another utterly convincing lead from Emma Stone.
The bottom line: Mesmerising
