“Bugonia”

Fans of director Yorgos Lanthimos are going to be salivating over “Bugonia,” a wicked little film that might just be his bleakest, weirdest, and most audacious project yet. It’s jaw-dropping, wildly creative, and batshit crazy, three hallmarks of a Lanthimos classic.

The premise is scary because it feels so rooted in America’s modern reality. Two conspiracy-obsessed guys (Jesse Plemons and Aidan Delbis) kidnap the CEO (Emma Stone) of a massive corporation, convinced she’s an alien bent on destroying Earth. The duo keep her chained in the basement of their secluded farm house, determined to stop at nothing to save the planet from destruction. Things get outlandishly surreal, downright terrifying, and occasionally hilarious in the most Lanthimos way possible.

Plemons is chilling as the ringleader, and he’s perfectly cast here because nobody plays these morally ambiguous, obsessive, slightly unhinged characters like he does. Delbis, an autistic actor, is phenomenal as an easily manipulated young man who is misguided by his older cousin. Stone is great too, lending a weird mix of menace and vulnerability that makes the whole kidnapping scenario feel tense and unpredictable. This is without question one of the strongest casts of the year.

Tonally, the film is a mix of bleak satire, dark sci-fi, and twisted comedy. It’s a sharp commentary on capitalism, corporate greed, and humanity’s impact on the planet that’s all wrapped up in a story about aliens and paranoia. From disturbing violence to psychological manipulation, there’s a lot going on, and Lanthimos keeps you off balance with “WTF?!” moments that hit just when you think you’ve figured out the movie. The closing scene is particularly unforgettable, with one of the best needle drops I’ve heard in a long time (and perfectly capping the film’s wild, dark energy).

But beyond the shocks and strangeness, the movie really digs into human anxieties. It explores powerlessness, alienation, and how extreme belief systems can push people to desperate actions. It’s not just about aliens, but a story about our world, our systems, and the ethical questions around power, exploitation, and responsibility. Even in its bleakness, the film feels smart, pointed, and thought-provoking as it challenges you to think critically about corporations, environmental collapse, and the very real conspiracies humans create to make sense of chaos.

Gorgeously twisted, funny, and disturbing, the peculiar and pessimistic “Bugonia” is absolutely unafraid to push boundaries. I loved every minute.

By: Louisa Moore