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WRITTEN BY

BUGONIA (2025)

MPAA: R.
Release Date: 10/31/25 [Cinemas]
Genre: Comedy. Crime. SciFi.

Studio: Focus Features.

[Seen for London Film Festival 2025]

"Two conspiracy-obsessed young men kidnap the high-powered CEO of a major company, convinced that she is an alien intent on destroying planet Earth." 

OUR MOVIE REVIEW:

God is a woman, and her name is Emma Stone. Seriously, I know I’m late for the party. But Stone’s undeniable talent in Yorgos Lanthimos’ sci-fi comedy Bugonia is what finally helped me see what made her a two-time Oscar winner and one of America’s favorite sweethearts. In her mid-30s, she is officially done playing kiddie roles. Stone dons her strappy heels and power suits to play CEO Michelle Fuller in this bizarre film and wow, it is a riot.

The movie begins with Fuller, the head of a pharmaceutical company, appearing to be turning a new leaf. She’s doing serious damage control, assuring workers that work-life balance will now be the status quo. Though she says all the right things, you can tell she leads the place with an iron fist. She drives to her luxury home, not knowing an ambush awaits. Two cousins named Teddy (Jesse Plemons) and Don (Aidan Delbin) have conspired to kidnap her, after becoming convinced that she’s an alien. It’s an absurdist laugh riot of a film that’s filled to the brim with carnage, conspiracies, and a little bit of cringe.

Weaved throughout the film are themes of conservation and corporate greed. Bugonia is somewhat reminiscent of another 2025 Emma Stone film, Eddington, in that it highlights the extreme impact social media has in spreading conspiracy theories and enabling confirmation bias. Yorgos’ finale is a big swing – for me it’s a hit, but I can see others being totally turned off by it. The final ten minutes will make or break the film for many audience members. In the end, Bugonia’s wit and biting social commentary make it Lanthimos’ greatest film to date.

OUR VERDICT:

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