Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone's latest collaboration, 'Bugonia,' is getting a truly wild, hair-raising (or hair-shedding!) special screening in Los Angeles this Monday that you won't believe.
TL;DR: Quick Bites for the Curious Film Fan
- A special, free advance screening of 'Bugonia' is happening Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, at the Culver Theater in LA.
- The major catch? You must be bald or willing to get your head shaved on-site by a professional barber to attend. Seriously!
- The film, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, and Alicia Silverstone, hits US theaters on Oct. 24 (limited) and Oct. 31 (wide).
Alright, film buffs, buckle up because Yorgos Lanthimos is at it again with a promotion as wild as his Movies! His new film, 'Bugonia,' starring the incredible Emma Stone, is hosting an early, exclusive screening in Los Angeles this coming Monday, October 20, 2025. But here’s the kicker: to get in, you either need to already be bald or be totally cool with shaving your head right there at the theater!
This isn't some internet prank or a fever dream; it's 100% real. The requirements were posted by DoLA on their Instagram page on October 17, making it clear: "Are you bald, or willing to shave your head?" If you’ve got hair and want to snag a free ticket to this avant-garde experience, a barber will be on-site at the Culver Theater starting at 6 p.m. to do the honors. The screening itself kicks off at 8 p.m. And yes, they’ll be filming parts of this unique event for promotional purposes, so get ready for your close-up!
Here’s the rundown if you’re brave enough to go bald for 'Bugonia':
- What: Free advanced screening of 'Bugonia'.
- When: Monday, October 20, 2025, at 8 p.m. (Barber available from 6 p.m.).
- Where: The Culver Theater, Los Angeles, California.
- Admission: Must be 18 years or older. RSVP required, and it’s first-come, first-served. A ticket doesn't guarantee entry, so arrive early!
- The Special Rule: You must be bald or willing to shave your head on-site before entering the auditorium.
Why such a peculiar demand? It's a direct homage to Emma Stone’s character in the film, Michelle Fuller, a high-powered CEO who gets kidnapped by conspiracy theorists who believe she’s an alien and, you guessed it, shave her head early in the movie.
Diving Deep into the Wild World of Yorgos Lanthimos' 'Bugonia'

For those unfamiliar, Yorgos Lanthimos is known for his distinct, often surreal and darkly comedic films like 'The Favourite' and 'Poor Things,' both of which earned Emma Stone Oscar nominations (she won Best Actress for 'Poor Things'!). 'Bugonia' marks their fourth collaboration, and it promises to be just as wild.
'Bugonia' is described as a sci-fi black comedy thriller, adapted from the 2003 South Korean film 'Save the Green Planet!' The story centers on two conspiracy-obsessed young men, Teddy Gatz (Jesse Plemons) and his cousin Don (Aidan Delbis), who abduct Michelle Fuller (Emma Stone), convinced she’s an alien plotting Earth's destruction. The film also features a talented cast including Stavros Halkias as a police officer and Alicia Silverstone as Teddy's very ill mother, Sandy Gatz.
This film is already generating buzz from its festival run, having premiered at the Venice International Film Festival in August, followed by screenings at Telluride, San Sebastián, AFI, and Busan. Critics are calling it a "fever dream," a "macabre conspiracy theory comedy," and an "acerbic comedy/thriller" that’s both bleak and cynical, exploring a "villain vs. villain story" where both leads are incredibly complex and deeply flawed.
Emma Stone's Bold Transformation and Thoughts on Going Bald for the Role

Emma Stone is no stranger to committing to a role, but literally shaving her head for 'Bugonia' is a whole new level! She has openly shared her thoughts on the radical hair choice, even telling Vogue that there's "no better feeling in the world" than a freshly bald pate, adding that "the first shower when you’ve shaved your head? Oh my God, it’s amazing."
However, Stone also thoughtfully distinguished her experience from that of her mother, Krista, who lost her hair during breast cancer treatment in 2008. "She actually did something brave," Stone noted, "I’m just shaving my head." Her character’s baldness is central to the plot, as the conspiracy theorists believe aliens can track or communicate through hair follicles – a truly unique Lanthimos touch!
"The first shower when you’ve shaved your head? Oh my God, it’s amazing."
— Emma Stone on her experience going bald for 'Bugonia'
Beyond the baldness, Stone revealed that the role was "surprisingly" one of her most physically challenging yet. She initially expected her character, being imprisoned in a basement, to be "laying down a lot in a cot," but was pleasantly surprised that Michelle is "actually a pretty physical girl," demanding more from her performance than anticipated.
When Can You Catch 'Bugonia' in Theaters Near You?

If you're not ready to part with your luscious locks for the special screening, don't worry! 'Bugonia' will be heading to a screen near you soon. Here are the important dates to mark on your calendar:
- United States (Limited Release): Thursday, October 24, 2025
- United States (Wide Release): Friday, October 31, 2025
- Australia Release: Wednesday, October 30, 2025
- United Kingdom Release: Friday, October 31, 2025
So get ready for a mind-bending, darkly funny, and potentially hair-raising cinematic experience with 'Bugonia'!
Frequently Asked Questions About 'Bugonia' and its Unique Event

Sources for Our 'Bugonia' News and Updates

- Content synthesized from recent news articles concerning 'Bugonia' screenings and release.