BUGONIA Is a Maddening Movie That Completely Won Me Over

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If I’d only seen the first two-thirds of *Bugonia*, this review would have been much easier – and very positive. I could have started it something like this:

I truly believe Yorgos Lanthimos has outdone himself with his latest film – it’s his best work in years, hands down. You get everything you expect from him: incredible filmmaking and phenomenal acting. But what really sets this one apart is the depth of its ideas. It’s a film that genuinely makes you *think*, and everything it has to say feels smart and meaningful. Unlike some of his more recent films, it isn’t strange just for the sake of it. It’s a really challenging, inventive piece of art that feels completely unique, blending dark humor, horror, and drama in a way I haven’t seen before. At its heart, it’s a deeply moving and complicated story about life, trauma, what we’re all searching for, and the world we live in – all these big themes are woven together brilliantly. The end result is just stunning – a beautiful, but also incredibly sad, film that’s stayed with me since I saw it.

That movie was something else, wasn’t it? Thankfully, the screening didn’t stop when I felt that way, but I left feeling really frustrated. It felt like the director, Lanthimos, made a strange choice that ruined everything he’d built up in the film.

It’s tricky to discuss *Bugonia*—a new version of the 2003 Korean film *Save the Green Planet!*—and why I didn’t love the ending without giving away key plot points. (It’s best not to guess what happens or how it gets there.) I can’t even talk about the storytelling technique used in the final part of the movie. What I *can* say is that when the film took an unexpected turn, it felt like everything that came before was suddenly undermined. I initially felt like all of the film’s clever ideas lost their impact.

I was so focused on the events of the film that I didn’t fully appreciate its underlying meaning. Looking back, *Bugonia* consistently tells the same story from beginning to end. It explores a specific and powerful idea—built from many smaller, meaningful concepts—that is both moving and profoundly relatable.

My strong negative reaction to the film’s third act still bothers me. It’s upsetting when a movie you’re enjoying suddenly becomes frustrating, and that ending will likely turn some viewers off. However, director Yorgos Lanthimos has consistently shown he doesn’t aim for easy entertainment. In fact, provoking that kind of reaction seems to be his goal. He doesn’t make simple, straightforward films; he wants to challenge his audience and leave them thinking about the movie long after it’s over. This approach worked wonderfully in films like *The Favourite*, which improves with each viewing, but it doesn’t always succeed, as seen in *Kinds of Kindness*, which remains confusing and unsatisfying.

In this case, his approach ultimately works. I just needed a little bit of time to understand why.

Let me tell you, the acting in this film is where it *really* shines. Jesse Plemons delivers an absolutely phenomenal performance as Teddy, a deeply sad and traumatized man who’s convinced a CEO is actually an alien trying to wreck the planet. It’s a heartbreaking portrayal, and Plemons manages to make you almost *feel* for a guy who’s, frankly, doing terrible things. Emma Stone is equally impressive as the CEO, Michelle. She spends a good chunk of the movie chained up and covered in lotion, and she nails the role of someone who’s defiant even in that awful situation. She’s detestable, sure, but Stone brings a surprising amount of sympathy to the character. Honestly, both performances are just brilliant – you find yourself understanding both sides, even when you *shouldn’t*.

What makes the film *Bugonia* both interesting and impactful is its unusual dynamic: a kidnapper who is strangely intelligent, clearly troubled, yet seems to have a moral code, and a hostage who is unpleasant, desperate for control, and speaks in frustratingly bland business jargon. At its strongest, it feels like genuine horror, but it’s consistently laced with the dark humor typical of Lanthimos’s work. It took a little while to grasp what the film was trying to do, but once I realized it was forging its own path, I really connected with it. (My initial disappointment with the ending stemmed from not fully carrying that understanding through the final act.)

Aidan Delbis, one of the film’s main actors, is remarkably talented – and might even steal the show from his more well-known co-stars. This is particularly impressive because it’s Delbis’ first feature film, and he delivers a stunning performance as Teddy’s cousin, Don. Delbis is an actor on the autism spectrum, and his character is also autistic, adding a powerful layer to his portrayal. Several scenes are incredibly moving, and one in particular will likely stay with viewers long after the credits roll.

I was surprised to see comedian Stavros Halkias playing a police officer named Casey, but I was happy he did. Although he seemed to be cast for comedic relief, his role actually became surprisingly important to the story. Halkias brought a unique power to the part, and it’s a touching scene that wouldn’t have had the same impact with a more serious actor.

I was surprised to see Halkias, and I didn’t even notice Alicia Silverstone was in the movie until the credits rolled – apparently, others in the audience didn’t realize it either! Now that I’ve mentioned her, you’ll probably spot her, but it doesn’t diminish how great she is in her brief, yet significant, role.

Bugonia is a thought-provoking and emotionally complex film. It tackles big themes like life, money, faith, and personal shortcomings, presenting them in a way that’s both challenging and rewarding. It’s a movie that will likely leave viewers with strong, and possibly mixed, feelings – I, for one, found it both frustrating and enjoyable, which is why I’m eager to watch it again.

I definitely didn’t finish the story the way it originally ended. Luckily, since you’ll never see that version, I don’t have to worry about cringing over it later. The film, *Bugonia*, comes out in theaters on October 24th.

Bugonia ⭐ (4.5 of 5)

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2025-10-20 17:34