Dive into a Kidnapping Gone Wild: Jesse Plemons Battles Emma Stone in Yorgos Lanthimos' Mind-Bending Dark Comedy 'Bugonia' – But Is This Satire Genius or Just Cruel Fun?
Hey there, film buffs and curious newcomers alike! Imagine this: a high-powered executive snatched from her sterile, glass-walled life and held hostage by a conspiracy-obsessed guy who thinks she's an alien invading Earth. Sounds like the setup for a wild ride through absurdity and discomfort, right? That's the core of Bugonia, the latest twisted collaboration between director Yorgos Lanthimos and star Emma Stone, and trust me, it's got enough bizarre twists to make you question reality itself. But here's where it gets controversial – does this film's unrelenting cruelty cross the line into exploitation, or is it a sharp mirror reflecting our messed-up world? Stick around as we unpack it all.
Produced by Focus Features, Bugonia takes inspiration from the 2003 South Korean flick Save the Green Planet!, but with a distinctly American spin set in a deranged 2025. Picture a society spiraling into online rabbit holes of paranoia, where one scruffy, troubled young man spirals through toxic ideologies, starting with far-right extremism and descending into even darker conspiracies. It's a timely nod to how the internet can warp minds, turning everyday folks into zealots armed with YouTube "research." For beginners wondering what that means, think of it as those endless video loops that start with harmless curiosity and end in full-blown delusions – we've all dipped a toe in online oddities, but this guy dove headfirst.
In some ways, Bugonia echoes two other standout films from 2025 that capture our chaotic era: Ari Aster's underappreciated Eddington, a satirical farce about family dysfunction and societal breakdowns, and Paul Thomas Anderson's brilliant One Battle After Another, which masterfully weaves political intrigue with thrilling action sequences. (Check out how they pair up at the box office if you're into double features!) Yet while Eddington plays its absurdity for laughs and Anderson's work blends controversy with popcorn thrills, Lanthimos' entry leans into a suffocating sense of despair, designed not to entertain but to unsettle you deeply.
Now, I'll be upfront: I'm not always a huge fan of Lanthimos' style. His films often felt too harsh to me until The Favourite won me over with its clever wit and historical flair. But Bugonia revives that signature cruelty, though it dials up the silliness to keep things from getting too bleak. Still, some scenes hit with such nasty, mean-spirited punches that they left a sour aftertaste for me. And this is the part most people miss – the script by Will Tracy sometimes feels disjointed, like it's chasing too many ideas without a clear thread, making you wonder if the filmmakers knew exactly what message they wanted to convey.
Spotlight on Stellar Performances and Unexpected Turns in 'Bugonia'
Produced by Focus Features, what saves Bugonia from total chaos is its powerhouse acting trio and a handful of plot twists that flip everything on its head, forcing you to rethink the whole ordeal. Folks who enjoy edgy, darkly humorous fare (you know who you are – and I say that with affection!) will find plenty to grin about here. The ending, which I'll keep under wraps to avoid spoilers, is so deliciously morbid that it almost erased my earlier gripes.
Emma Stone shines as Michelle Fuller, the formidable 45-year-old SEO guru for a big pharma company – a detail that adds an air of enigma, hinting at buried secrets without fully revealing them. Michelle dwells in opulent isolation, her days filled with corporate commands, like telling her assistant it's fine to clock out at 5:30... unless there's unfinished work, in which case, stay put. It's a peek into the cutthroat world of high-stakes business, where humanity often takes a backseat to profits.
Contrast that with the gritty reality of Teddy (Jesse Plemons) and his cousin Don (Aidan Delbis), prepping Teddy's secluded rural shack. Lanthimos doesn't mince words in highlighting the divide: Michelle's realm is all pristine whites and gleaming glass, while Teddy and Don wallow in filth and disarray. Teddy, for instance, looks like he hasn't showered in weeks, embodying the struggles of the working class.
Queasy Humor and Cosmic Conspiracies Collide
Produced by Focus Features, the worlds collide when Teddy and Don snatch Michelle from her mansion. But this isn't about money – no, Teddy's fixated on the idea that Michelle is a humanoid alien from Andromeda. Drawing from "extensive" online research (read: viral YouTube deep dives), he's convinced she's part of an extraterrestrial plot to enslave and gradually destroy humanity, hitting the underprivileged hardest. To illustrate, he forces Don to shave her hair, believing aliens use it for telepathic chats – a ludicrous yet unsettling touch that blends absurdity with menace.
The kidnapping unfolds with those "queasy laughs," where humor teeters on discomfort, like chuckling at a joke that's a bit too dark. Michelle pleads her case, insisting she's not some invader, while Teddy pushes to "break" her through relentless questioning, turning the film into an extended, intense interrogation. It's a psychological tug-of-war that explores delusion versus reason, with the queasy humor arising from how ridiculous Teddy's theories sound compared to Michelle's desperate logic.
A Standout 2025 Flick, Yet a Step Down for Lanthimos and Stone – Is It Worth the Unease?
Produced by Focus Features, though the plot lacks depth until a gory climax ramps up the stakes, Bugonia shines thanks to its talented ensemble. Stone, building on her Lanthimos history, nails a complex character: we root for Michelle as the victim, yet sense her imperfections through Stone's cool, detached portrayal. We don't learn much about her backstory, but that's intentional, mirroring her guarded nature. Plemons steals the show as Teddy, a broken soul haunted by his past – surreal black-and-white flashbacks reveal his bond with his ailing mother, portrayed by Alicia Silverstone, adding layers to his fragility.
Much of the film revolves around Stone and Plemons' electrifying duel, a warped game of mental chess where each probes the other's psyche. Delbis brings warmth as Don, an autistic character played by an autistic actor – a choice that could feel exploitative, but instead grounds the story as Don emerges as the most empathetic voice, offering moral clarity amid the madness.
Bolstered by Jerskin Fendrik's thunderous, chaotic score, Bugonia often feels overly cheeky, as if Lanthimos and crew are smirking cynically at the audience. And this is the part where opinions diverge sharply – is this cynicism a smart commentary on our cynical times, or does it undermine any potential message? Ultimately, Bugonia might rank as one of Lanthimos and Stone's lesser joint efforts, but it's undeniably memorable in 2025's lineup. Its twisted charm lingers, with a finale that's bleakly captivating. I just wish it cohered into something grander – a bit more substance beyond the shocks.
/Film Rating: 7 out of 10
Bugonia hits theaters on October 24, 2025.
What do you think – does Lanthimos' brand of cruelty push boundaries in a good way, or is it just too much? And hey, about that autistic representation: empowering or problematic? Share your thoughts in the comments – I'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or see a counterpoint I missed!
