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To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Previous Page Next Page Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos always provide audiences with attention-grabbing films to enjoy – but Bugonia might be their boldest, oddest collaboration yet. I found myself laughing in shock at moments as Stone’s pharmaceutical CEO (and yes, she really did shave her head bald for the role!) tried to escape her kidnapper, conspiracy theorist and beekeeper Teddy (Jesse Plemons), who believes she’s an alien sent to destroy Earth. Bugonia doesn’t provide the same lush visual delights of Poor Things and its fantasy gothic world, immersing you in a quirky atmosphere from the off – it’s instead set in a mundane alternative present day. But that actually makes the wild swings of the third act even sweeter and more impactful. Just when you thought Lanthimos couldn’t get any weirder or darker, he’s here to assure you that he absolutely can. And Stone, who won an Oscar for her portrayal of the naïve if wild Bella Baxter in Poor Things, plays magnificently against type as hard-nosed careerist Michelle, who you struggle to have much sympathy for, despite what she’s being put through. Emma Stone plays a pharmaceutical CEO in this twisty thriller (Picture: Focus Features) She stars opposite Jesse Plemons as a conspiracy theorist who kidnaps her because he thinks she’s an alien (Picture: Focus Features) When she’s forced to try and negotiate with her kidnappers, the insincere corporate speak pours out of her – ‘can we have a dialogue?’, ‘I respectfully disagree’ – in a way that will make you roll your eyes. Not least of all because she’s recently reminded her PA to email around the company regarding the new policy of leaving work at 5:30pm… while hinting heavily that it’s ‘not compulsory’. Comment nowAre you looking forward to watching Bugonia?Comment Now In contrast, Jesse Plemons’ nuanced turn as wounded outsider Teddy makes it hard not to root for him slightly – or at least feel sympathy – even as the criminal charges rack up against him. Michelle is a hard character to like, with Stone playing against type (Picture: Focus Features) The upcoming movie premiered at Venice before screening at the BFI London Film Festival – and now it’s finally out in cinemas (Picture: Focus Features) He’s had a hard life: an addict mother (Alicia Silverstone) in a coma after a poor outcome in a trial provided by Michelle’s company, a vulnerable cousin he looks out for and has recruited into his conspiracy-led way of life (Aidan Delbis, making an assured debut), and a local sheriff (Stavros Halkias) wanting to apologise for unspecified past deeds. It’s not a surprise, therefore, that he should speak about the need to ‘clear the psychic cache’ and use the term ‘alpha king’ as the highest praise. Nor should his bizarre tips for spotting that Michelle is an alien come as a shock either – it’s all in the narrow feet, thin cuticles and high hair density apparently. Bugonia: Key details Director Yorgos Lanthimos Will Tracy, based on Save the Green Planet! by Jang Joon-hwan Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Alicia Silverstone, Aidan Delbis, Stavros Halkias Release date October 31, 2025 Bugonia’s third act is particularly violent and bloody (Picture: Focus Features via AP) To go too much into what happens next is to spoil some of the twisted fun of Bugonia, so just rest assured that Lanthimos pulls zero punches, as always, in his ongoing filmmaking quest to say ‘yes, and?’ to choices other directors would shy away from tackling. That Bugonia is based on 2003 South Korean film Save the Green Planet! will provide a good idea of what things build to, but screenwriter Will Tracy and Lanthimos have confidently made it their own movie, not afraid to diverge where necessary. Jerskin Fendrix’s hugely dramatic orchestral score – deployed expertly with flourishes at the most unexpected moments – is another example of this, composed entirely from just four key words provided by Lanthimos and no film reference. It’s as absurd and inspired as the rest of the film. There’s still ‘plenty of juice’ in Stone and Lanthimos’ delicious partnership (Picture: Universal Pictures) @metroentertainment What’s your favourite Jesse Plemons role? It’s USS Callister for me 🫡 At the @britishfilminstitute premeire for Bugonia, Metro journalist Tori Brazier asked Jesse Plemons all about his previous iconic roles; Bob in #BlackMirror and Todd in BreakingBad, and how he’s able to dive into playing these “intense psychopaths” just like Teddy in Bugonia. In the Yorgos Lanthimos-directed movie, Emma Stone plays a medical company CEO who is kidnapped by conspiracy theorists (Jesse Plemons, Aidan Delbis) who are convinced she’s an alien 👽🛸 🎥: @tori_brazier / @zachaniff #jesseplemons #londonfilmfestival #lff #emmastone #interview #redcarpet #london #filmtok #movies ♬ original sound – Metro Entertainment – Metro Entertainment In the final act, Bugonia abruptly turns so violent and bloody – Stone’s Michelle is practically hosed in it at one point – that you’ll be stunned into a physical reaction, be it a laugh or gasp. And that’s not because it’s been played in an over-the-top way, it’s simply a shock to the system. So enjoy Bugonia as it finally hits cinemas after the festival circuit, as reassurance that there’s still plenty more juice to be squeezed from Stone and Lanthimos’s partnership on deliciously off-the-wall movies. Verdict It might be one of Lanthimos’s most normal-looking movies on the surface — and a remake, to boot – but don’t let that fool you into thinking he’s lost any of his unique edge. Bugonia is in UK cinemas from today. This article was first published on August 29, 2025.. Got a story? If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
