This was my very first Yorgos Lanthimos film, and I think a large part of that is due to the accessibility of BUGONIA vs. his other films. BUGONIA follows cousins Teddy (Jesse Plemons) and Don (Aidan Delbis) as they conspire to kidnap CEO Michelle Fuller (Emma Stone) due to suspicions of her being an alien. This film is not only incredibly well done as a dark comedy but also adept at its social commentary. There have been very few films this year that end and make me pause to reflect on what I just watched, instead of automatically opening Letterboxd.
The film’s strong content was also well supported by its fantastic marketing. One of those press runs where everything falls into the right place at the right time. BUGONIA was one of the films to move towards a new era of early showings, where audiences are immersed in the film’s world. Similar to what THE LONG WALK did in their viral screening, where they invited viewers to watch the film on a treadmill, BUGONIA hosted a screening in LA where participants were required to shave their heads or already be bald in order to watch the film. Would I shave my head to watch BUGONIA? Probably not, but there are definitely worse films to be released in 2025, where you would be very disappointed if you shaved your head. A small aspect that BUGONIA nailed was their placement of music in the trailer.
Trailers have become a pivotal part of film marketing. When done right, trailers can make a bad movie look like a Best Picture winner. My mom was so excited for DEAR EVAN HANSEN just due to the music arrangement in the trailer. You can imagine both of our disappointments as we walked out of that theater… In 2025, many films used trending songs to spark interest. An example that stands out to me because of how strongly it fails at this is the new Sydney Sweeney film, THE HOUSEMAID, coming out later this year. Every time I hear that overproduced version of PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE by Sabrina Carpenter, my disdain for the film grows. BUGONIA, on the other hand, leans into the campiness of their song, juxtaposing GOOD LUCK, BABE! by Chappel Roan with the thriller aspects of the movie. It adds to the layer of dark comedy we see within the film.
BUGONIA has a very clear message and doesn’t need to hide it. The term “Bugonia” comes from Greek descent and refers to the belief that bees are born from the carcass of a dead ox (thank you, Google, for explaining that to me). The film delves into the mess that humans have created politically, economically, and socially, and ties it back to the “Bugonia” aspect, environmentally. Do we deserve a rebirth and a second chance when we’ve failed at every chance given to us? The film touches on the naivety of belief and how blind some can be, especially those who lack guidance. How people in power can twist and bend words for whatever supports their needs. Is there anyone on Earth who’s truly pure and has made no mistake? It’s very well done in how Lanthimos communicates these thoughts, another reason why it’s been so successful.
I don’t know if Emma Stone will get a Best Leading Actress nomination for this, but I feel strongly that Plemons could definitely get a nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Stone is cold and quite terrifying. You’ve seen her archetype in real life, though, she’s Kardashian-esque but without the charm they hold. Plemons has so much pent-up rage but a genuine conviction that he believes everything he’s saying. There’s a chemistry bouncing off the two of them that you don’t tend to see when the dynamic isn’t romantic. I hope we see more from Aidan Delbis, as he was one of my most memorable performances in the film.
The writing feels intellectual, and the pacing doesn’t falter for the most part. There are one or two plotlines that don’t advance the overarching story. You are constantly gaining new information, and there was never a moment when I knew where the story was going, which makes the end even more impactful.
BUGONIA is a great movie to watch if you want something interesting to discuss with friends or family. It’s a little out there, but not too much that people will be fully turned away from it (like they might’ve been with POOR THINGS). I’ve loved hearing everyone’s different perspectives on what the film is trying to say and what the ending represents. I am cautiously curious about what I will think of the rest of Lanthimos’ filmography, but I really do hope I enjoy it as much as I did BUGONIA.
