From theories of hair as a tool of alien communication to the lunar eclipse meaning extraterrestrial invasion, “Bugonia” depicts conspiracists’ acting out their intrusive thoughts.
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimo, the film premiered at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on Aug. 28 and was released in theaters on Oct. 24.
“Bugonia” is nominated for four Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Best Original Score, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actress for Emma Stone in her role of Michelle Fuller, making her the youngest woman in Academy Awards’ history to earn seven nominations.
The film is well acclaimed for its usage of dark comedy and suspenseful sequences to portray societal issues in the modern day, including the spreading of and belief in misinformation, corporate greed and environmental collapse.
The screenplay is based on the 2003 South Korean film “Save the Green Planet!” directed by Jang Joon-hwan. This English remake brings a deeper perspective to the more comedic original, whilst still keeping major themes and plot lines the same, as both revolve around paranoia-driven desperation and a wealthy elite being suspected of being an alien.
Michelle Fuller (Emma Stone), a pharmaceutical CEO, is abducted by beekeeper Teddy (Jesse Plemons) and his cousin Don (Aidan Delbis). The two conspiracy theorists are dead-set on their beliefs that Fuller is an Andromedan alien sent with a mission to eradicate all humans and leave only bees on Earth. This high-thrill opening sets a dramatic tone for the remainder of the film, but is offset by comedic elements such as the kidnappers wearing Jennifer Aniston masks during the scene.
Fuller is then held hostage in a basement, where she is strapped down, shaved bald and completely smeared in a thick face cream. The reason for this, Teddy explains, is to stop her from contacting the alien species’ mothership, as they believed her hair to be a communication device, and for the cream to stop her from using any powers. The absurdity of this theory feels almost satirical — one of many in the film where that seems ludicrous — creating a buildup for viewers to consider if the conspiracy theories throughout the film could be true. This sequence happens within the first 15 minutes, establishing a chaotic tone for the rest of the film that only gets weirder.
The trapped feel of the movie is encapsulated by the cinematography, featuring rich coloring, low angles and a camera that only moves when the actors do. The audience is given a sense of being confined alongside Fuller, interrogated and held captive.
Stone’s performance is one of her best, as she is able to capture the desperate emotions of a prisoner negotiating for their freedom, whilst still hinting at suspicions of actually being an alien. Delbis, despite “Bugonia” being his debut film, and Plemons similarly had praiseworthy acting, delivering a contrasting “bad cop good cop” dynamic and a striking chemistry between two characters that just might be deranged.
The film is critiqued for its unsettling take on satire. However, such is done to properly portray the distress of turning towards conspiracy theories to alleviate feelings of hopelessness and anxiety. Its transition from a slow burn to quick action throughout the movie reflects the desperation of Teddy as he descends into madness trying to prove his theories true. “Bugonia” touches on the relationship between corporate greed and environmental decay, suggesting humanity’s downfall through neglect of the planet’s ecosystem, with Stone’s ice-cold performance of a money-hungry CEO against Plemons’ hyper eco-consciousness character.
“Bugonia” is certainly worth the watch, as the film combines dark comedy with thriller to keep watchers on the edge of their seat, trying to determine if a conspiracy theory is simply madness or true.
“Bugonia”
1 hour, 58 minutes
Rated R for bloody violent content, grisly images and language.
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimo
Starring Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons and Aidan Delbis
