It’s unhealthy sufficient being caught in a dialog with a conspiracy theorist. What if one kidnapped you and compelled you to agree along with his worldview?
That’s the place “Bugonia” begins, a rollicking affair that swings for as many fences as a two-hour movie permits.
It helps to have two A-listers carrying the lumber. Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons make it look simple, whereas director Yorgos Lanthimos indulges in his wackiest impulses. That’s no small assertion from the “Poor Issues” auteur.
The outcomes are head-smackingly foolish, often merciless and sometimes electrical. Simply don’t suppose too exhausting in regards to the movie’s underlying message. It’s as predictable as Hollywood greenlighting a superhero sequel.
Extensive-eyed Teddy (Plemons) is satisfied a serious pharmaceutical CEO is an alien hiding in plain sight. So he and his mentally-challenged cousin Donny (Aidan Delbis) kidnap her to drive her to disclose her true nature.
That’s Stone as Michelle Fuller, who spends her days kickboxing and spitting out company cliches to underlings. The dopey duo barely manages to subdue Michelle, however once they do they shave her head and drive her to admit.
Or one thing.
Their plans aren’t precisely clear, neither is Michelle’s connection to Teddy’s ailing mom (Alicia Silverstone). It’s murky sufficient to keep away from any overt assaults on Large Pharma, however the subplot suggests Teddy’s emotional bruises (at the very least) are all too actual.
And the probabilities that Michelle’s reign resulted in one thing tragic are shockingly excessive.
We assume Michelle can rapidly outsmart her captors, however Teddy could also be extra crafty than he seems. And is Michelle too desirous to play into his wildest delusions?
Lanthimos deftly blends B-movie antics, social commentary and black comedy. It’s a kidnapping thriller with a twist, and the director’s oddball instincts improve the fabric. The laugh-out-loud moments usually precede white-knuckle chills, protecting audiences perpetually off steadiness.
Stone and Plemons are sensational, giving gravitas to a weird story that didn’t require Oscar-worthy performances. It will get all of them the identical.
Stone’s CEO diva is an advanced soul with a survival intuition that will rival a Navy SEAL’s. Plemons’ Teddy ought to be a mountain of conspiratorial cliches, however he invests him with an emotional ache that may rapidly flip violent.
Teddy’s bond with poor Donny is surprisingly candy whereas being overtly domineering. Nonetheless, the interrogation scenes with Michelle rapidly develop stale and round.
Good factor “Bugonia” at all times has a brand new narrative card in hand.
Lanthimos usually wears his progressive ideas on his sleeve, and that’s definitely true with “Bugonia.” The movie suggests humanity deserves little sympathy, from its starvation for conspiracies to a willingness to disregard our professional class.
Think about that.
The movie’s daffy third act doubles down on the lectures, however in a sideways trend that softens the blow. Or, the story goes so absurdly off the rails that any finger-wagging will get misplaced within the melee.
“Bugonia” earns loads of grace for originality and chutzpah. Each matter in 2025, and the movie’s contemporary nature is usually its core promoting level. Does any of it make sense? Is it alleged to? These questions and extra nag at us following that frantic finale.
Simply know the trip up till that time has been a blast.
HiT or Miss: “Bugonia” is foolish and subversive with an ethical that’s as crude as a LEGO starter set