Movie Review: Bugonia

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This darkly funny mystery thriller boasts compelling performances, clever writing, and a consistently suspenseful plot.

Bugonia is an unusual film that mixes the suspense of a thriller with the humor of a dark comedy and thoughtful drama. It’s a modern story about what happens when two eccentric conspiracy theorists kidnap a successful businesswoman, believing she’s an alien. They hope to get information from her to try and fix the world, but they quickly realize that carrying out a revolution is much harder – and more chaotic – than they imagined, especially when it becomes a high-profile kidnapping.

The story centers on Teddy, a man obsessed with conspiracy theories, and his unsuspecting companion, Don, who are holding someone captive in a basement. When their captive, an executive, realizes they aren’t after money – but believe she’s an alien leader – she tries to talk them out of it using her intelligence. It creates a compelling situation, as her attempts to reason with these eccentric and unusual men, who live outside of mainstream society, often fall flat.

Following her Oscar win for Poor Things, Emma Stone reunites with director Yorgos Lanthimos in Bugonia, a new film inspired by the South Korean cult classic Save the Green Planet!. Though perhaps not as visually striking as Poor Things, Bugonia maintains Lanthimos’ signature quirky style while feeling more realistic. The film uses its complex story and characters to examine themes of corporate greed and offer a sharp commentary on society.

As a total film buff, I was immediately hooked by this movie’s concept – it feels disturbingly real, like something that could actually happen. The lead actress brilliantly plays this incredibly driven CEO, the kind who’s so focused on success she’s become isolated, even from her own peers. What’s really compelling is the way the film shows the huge gap between her glamorous life and the awful conditions she’s held in, and how that actually makes her stronger. Her skills and experience mean she’s way more resourceful than anyone holding her captive expects.

“Well, someone’s gotta save the green planet!”

The film also features Jesse Plemons, a consistently excellent actor who delivers a remarkably genuine performance. Plemons is a strong match for Stone’s character, and their tense, psychological battle – as they both try to influence a key third party – makes for a fascinating and intricate dynamic, like a complex game of chess.

Aidan Delbis, playing Don, creates a compelling character – someone who is both naive and slightly off-kilter. His trusting nature makes him easily manipulated within the tense, back-and-forth dynamic of the story. With its close setting and the intense performances of its three main actors, Bugonia feels almost like a stage play – a gripping, claustrophobic situation that keeps viewers constantly on the edge of their seats.

The movie is deeply unsettling because it delves into themes of control, manipulation, and brainwashing. While certain scenes are shockingly disturbing, they’re strangely captivating on their own. Bugonia deliberately stays ambiguous, keeping the audience guessing about what’s real within its strange world. This constant tension elevates the film, making it a remarkable dark comedy that evolves into a gripping mystery thriller, further enhanced by another compelling performance from Emma Stone.

The bottom line: Mesmerising

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2026-01-22 18:43