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8.0
Focus Features Acclaimed

Bugonia

Bugonia · Focus Features Collection

2025 118 min
Critic8.0
Comedy Sci-Fi Thriller
Focus Features Apple TV FindEdition
Trailer Where to Watch

Overview

Two conspiracy-obsessed young men kidnap the high-powered CEO of a major company, convinced that she is secretly an alien intent on destroying planet Earth.
Story 7.8
Acting 8.8
Direction 8.5
Cinematography 8.6
Music 8.2
Pacing 7.7
Originality 8.4
Emotional Impact 7.9
Overall 8.0

Editorial Review

By FindEdition Cinema Desk

8.0 /10

Absurdist Dark Comedy

Lanthimos successfully adapts cult Korean material into a contemporary culture-wars satire filled with bleak humor.

Fearless Performances

Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons deliver wonderfully unhinged performances that anchor the bizarre kidnapping plot.

Pros

  • Brilliant lead performances by Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons
  • Unique blend of bleak absurdism, dark comedy, and satire
  • Strong technical direction and cinematography by Robbie Ryan

Cons

  • Pacing in the opening acts leans into sluggish absurdism
  • Bizarre subject matter may not appeal to mainstream audiences
Verdict An unhinged, darkly comic, and visually striking absurdist thriller that showcases peak collaboration between Lanthimos and Stone.

AI Review

A darkly comic, absurdist sci-fi thriller directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons as two conspiracy theorists kidnap a corporate CEO.

An unhinged, darkly comic, and visually striking absurdist thriller that showcases peak collaboration between Lanthimos and Stone.

Essential viewing for fans of Yorgos Lanthimos, Emma Stone, and dark absurdist cinema.

Awards

Academy Awards

Best Picture · Nominated

Academy Awards

Best Actress (Emma Stone) · Nominated

Timeline

Release Date
Theatrical Date
Digital Date
Physical Date
Premiere
Festival
Status
Development

Originally initiated around 2020 with Jang Joon-hwan attached, before Yorgos Lanthimos took over directing duties in early 2024.

Principal photography

Filming commenced in July 2024 across High Wycombe, England and Atlanta, Georgia.

Post-production

Completed in mid-2025 ahead of its festival premieres and fall theatrical rollout via Focus Features.

Academy Awards

Best Picture Nominated

Academy Awards

Best Actress (Emma Stone) Nominated

Production

Development

Originally initiated around 2020 with Jang Joon-hwan attached, before Yorgos Lanthimos took over directing duties in early 2024.

Principal photography

Filming commenced in July 2024 across High Wycombe, England and Atlanta, Georgia.

Post-production

Completed in mid-2025 ahead of its festival premieres and fall theatrical rollout via Focus Features.

Streaming

Focus Features Apple TV FindEdition

Cast

Emma Stone Michelle Fuller
Jesse Plemons Teddy
Aidan Delbis Conspirator Buddy
Stavros Halkias Local Police Officer
Alicia Silverstone Mother

Characters

Michelle Fuller Emma Stone
Teddy Jesse Plemons
Conspirator Buddy Aidan Delbis
Local Police Officer Stavros Halkias
Mother Alicia Silverstone

Crew

Yorgos Lanthimos Director
Will Tracy Screenwriter
Jang Joon-hwan Based on Save the Green Planet! by
Ed Guiney Producer
Andrew Lowe Producer
Ari Aster Producer
Emma Stone Producer
Jerskin Fendrix Composer
Robbie Ryan Cinematographer
Yorgos Mavropsaridis Editor

Videos

Official Trailer

Soundtrack

  1. Bugonia Overture — Jerskin Fendrix
  2. Conspiracy Ritual — Jerskin Fendrix

Trivia

  • Emma Stone shaved her head completely for her role as pharmaceutical CEO Michelle Fuller.
  • The title 'Bugonia' refers to an ancient Mediterranean folkloric ritual linking bees with corpse decay, reflecting Teddy's beekeeping profession.
  • The film received a six-minute standing ovation at its world premiere at the 2025 Venice Film Festival.

Quotes

"The world is dying, and someone has to stop them."

"She's not human. She's orchestrating the end."

Goofs

  • During the basement containment setup, beekeeping equipment lighting angles shift subtly between interior reverse shots.

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Collections

Part of Focus Features Collection

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Universe

Bugonia Cinematic Collection

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Franchise

Bugonia

An English-language adaptation of the 2003 South Korean cult film Save the Green Planet!.

Browse franchise →

Recommendations & Alternatives

For higher ratings, consider The Phoenician Scheme (8.2/10). A similarly themed alternative is Bring Her Back.

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AI Recommendation Insight

A darkly comic, absurdist sci-fi thriller directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons as two conspiracy theorists kidnap a corporate CEO. Similar picks: Highly Rated Comedy, Highly Rated Sci-fi