Emma Stone & Jesse Plemons Dive Into Yorgos Lanthimos' Wild 'Bugonia'

Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons go head-to-head in Yorgos Lanthimos' latest, a wild, dark comedy about alien conspiracies and corporate greed. Get ready for a Halloween treat!

TL;DR: Quick Takes on Bugonia

Yorgos Lanthimos's "Bugonia" is a twisted sci-fi dark comedy hitting theaters with a limited release on October 24th and wide release on October 31st, 2025.
It stars Emma Stone as a high-powered CEO kidnapped by Jesse Plemons' conspiracy theorist, who believes she's an alien from Andromeda.
The film is an English-language remake of the 2003 South Korean movie "Save the Green Planet!" and features an immersive, in-universe marketing campaign.

Yorgos Lanthimos' Unique Vision Continues to Evolve with "Bugonia"

Emma Stone & Jesse Plemons Dive Into Yorgos Lanthimos' Wild 'Bugonia' image 3

Hold onto your hats, cinephiles, because Yorgos Lanthimos, the maestro of the wonderfully weird, is back with another mind-bending creation: "Bugonia." If you're a fan of his distinct, often unsettling cinematic style from films like "The Favourite" and "Poor Things," you're in for a treat – or perhaps a delightfully uncomfortable experience, depending on your tolerance for his particular brand of cruelty and satire.

This time around, Lanthimos brings us a dark, sci-fi-infused comedy that promises to be as thought-provoking as it is twisted. "Bugonia" is actually an English-language remake of the 2003 South Korean cult classic "Save the Green Planet!" But don't expect a straightforward adaptation. Lanthimos, along with screenwriter Will Tracy (who penned "The Menu"), has infused it with a distinctly "deranged American life in 2025" vibe, delving deep into the rabbit holes of online conspiracy theories and modern anxieties.

An Unsettling Plot: Is Your High-Powered CEO an Alien?

Emma Stone & Jesse Plemons Dive Into Yorgos Lanthimos' Wild 'Bugonia' image 4

The premise of "Bugonia" is deliciously absurd: Emma Stone stars as Michelle Fuller, a sharp, high-powered CEO of a pharmaceutical company called Auxolith Corp. She's the picture of corporate success, living a life of wealth and isolation. But her pristine world comes crashing down when she's kidnapped by Teddy (Jesse Plemons) and his cousin, Don (Aidan Delbis).

Here's the kicker: Teddy isn't after ransom. He's absolutely convinced Michelle is an alien from the planet Andromeda, part of a secret race enslaving humanity and slowly destroying our world, especially for working-class folks like him. His "research" involves, naturally, a lot of YouTube videos. The abduction itself is played for "queasy laughs," with Teddy even insisting Don shave Michelle's hair because he believes aliens use it to communicate.

The film then essentially becomes a feature-length interrogation. Teddy tries to "break" Michelle, demanding she admit her alien identity, while Michelle desperately tries to reason with her captors, insisting she's just a regular human. As the story unfolds, the lines between delusion and reality blur, forcing us to question who's really manipulating whom.

Star Power: Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons Shine in Intense Roles

Emma Stone & Jesse Plemons Dive Into Yorgos Lanthimos' Wild 'Bugonia' image 5

Lanthimos has a knack for getting incredible performances out of his actors, and "Bugonia" is no exception. Emma Stone, who has collaborated with Lanthimos four times now, delivers a masterful performance as Michelle. She skillfully navigates the tricky balance of eliciting our sympathy as a kidnap victim, while also revealing Michelle to be a deeply flawed individual. The film touches on the fact that her company, Auxolith, is even implicated in issues like Colony Collapse Disorder, adding layers to her character's "inhumanity." Stone reportedly even shaved her head for the role, a commitment she playfully noted made her "morning routine less complicated."

But many are calling Jesse Plemons the real star here. He plays Teddy as a damaged man with a troubled past, bringing a complex emotional sensibility to a character who could easily be a caricature of foolish insanity. We get glimpses into his history through surreal black-and-white flashbacks featuring his sickly mother, played by Alicia Silverstone.

Aidan Delbis, in what's being hailed as a breakout role, plays Don, Teddy's autistic cousin. Rather than being exploitative, Don becomes a kind of moral center, a sympathetic figure amidst the chaos. The film also features Stavros Halkias as Casey, Teddy's former babysitter-turned-police officer, further complicating the wild ride.

"I am crucial, in all humility, I can say that. Think of it you abducted the governor, but worse. There is no possible scenario where you benefit from this incident."

— Michelle Fuller (Emma Stone)

Beyond the Screen: Bugonia's Immersive Marketing Campaign Takes Over

Emma Stone & Jesse Plemons Dive Into Yorgos Lanthimos' Wild 'Bugonia' image 6

Ahead of its release, "Bugonia" has launched a seriously cool, in-universe marketing campaign that blurs the lines between fiction and reality. A website called Human Resistance HQ has popped up, designed with a low-fi, '90s aesthetic. It's packed with "Easter eggs" and features tabs like "Suspected Andromedans" (with a deep dive into Michelle Fuller), "Research & Findings," and even "Suspected Mothership Viewings."

These "Mothership Viewings" contain coded messages that reveal coordinates and times for early fan screenings in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Boston on October 20th. Plus, real-world billboards for Michelle's company, Auxolith, have been "vandalized" with phrases like "Andromedon Filth" and "Join the Human Resistance" in New York City and Los Angeles, just like in the movie's conspiracy theory.

A Deep Dive into the Themes of Modern America's Discontent

Emma Stone & Jesse Plemons Dive Into Yorgos Lanthimos' Wild 'Bugonia' image 7

"Bugonia" is more than just a wacky alien abduction story; it's a cracked mirror reflecting the absurdity and anxieties of contemporary America. The film's themes are incredibly relevant, exploring the rise of online conspiracy theories, the deep distrust of corporate machines, and the stark wealth gap that defines much of society. It taps into the feelings of alienation, loss, and despair that many experience, and forces us to confront what we might do when pushed to our limits.

Reviewers have noted that it feels like "the most American movie Yorgos Lanthimos has made so far" due to its powerful depiction of paranoia and conspiratorial thinking. It joins other 2025 films like Ari Aster's "Eddington" and Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" in capturing the strange mood of our times, but Lanthimos brings his unique blend of cynical humor and unflinching honesty to the table.

The Unforgettable Score and Distinctive Visual Style of Bugonia

Emma Stone & Jesse Plemons Dive Into Yorgos Lanthimos' Wild 'Bugonia' image 8

Visually, "Bugonia" is pure Lanthimos. Director of Photography Robbie Ryan, who also shot "Poor Things" and "The Favourite," uses anamorphic distortion to create an unsettling, distinctive look. Michelle's world is sterile and glass-filled, a stark contrast to the squalor of Teddy and Don's isolated country house, emphasizing the characters' different realities without subtlety.

The film's atmosphere is further enhanced by Jerskin Fendrik's deliberately chaotic and thundering musical score. And in a delightful, unexpected touch, the kidnapping sequence itself is cross-cut to the tune of Chappell Roan's hit "Good Luck, Babe!" — ensuring this film sticks with you long after the credits roll.

Critical Reception: A Divisive But Memorable Film to Catch

Emma Stone & Jesse Plemons Dive Into Yorgos Lanthimos' Wild 'Bugonia' image 9

As with many of Lanthimos's projects, "Bugonia" is shaping up to be a divisive but undeniably memorable film. Some critics have praised it as "one of his best films," a "tense, funny, jaw-dropping descent into absurdity." Others, while acknowledging the strong performances, found its cruelty a bit much or the script scattered in places. Many agree, however, that it's "sick and twisted enough to stick with you" and that the final moments are "particularly delightful (in a bleak sort of way)."

It's described as a "satirical, explosive, and at times surreal take on America’s socio-political imbalances," and if you’re looking for a movie that doesn't shy away from discomfort, you've found your next watch.

Catching Bugonia: Release Dates and Theatrical Run Details

Emma Stone & Jesse Plemons Dive Into Yorgos Lanthimos' Wild 'Bugonia' image 10

Ready to see if your CEO is an alien? "Bugonia" premiered at the Venice International Film Festival and also had its BFI London Film Festival premiere. It's coming to a theater near you very soon!

Limited Theatrical Release: Friday, October 24, 2025
Wide U.S. Theatrical Release: Friday, October 31, 2025 (perfect for Halloween!)
South Korea Release: Wednesday, November 5, 2025

So mark your calendars and prepare for Yorgos Lanthimos's latest cinematic adventure!

Bugonia: Frequently Asked Questions About the New Movie

When does "Bugonia" release in theaters?

"Bugonia" will have a limited theatrical release starting October 24, 2025, followed by a wider release in the U.S. on Halloween, October 31, 2025.

What is "Bugonia" about?

The film follows Michelle Fuller, a high-powered CEO, who is kidnapped by two men convinced she is an alien from the planet Andromeda plotting to destroy Earth. It's a dark comedy exploring conspiracy theories and corporate power.

Who are the main actors in "Bugonia"?

The lead roles are played by Emma Stone as Michelle Fuller and Jesse Plemons as Teddy. Aidan Delbis also stars as Don, Teddy's cousin, with Alicia Silverstone appearing in flashbacks as Teddy's mother.