In a post-truth age where the internet spreads wild facts and misinformation daily, anything can be true. This is certainly the case in acclaimed director Yorgos Lanthimos' latest Bugonia, in which Emma Stone plays a ‘Big Pharma' CEO who may or may not be an alien sent from another planet to destroy Earth.
An adaptation of the 2003 Korean film Save the Green Planet, Bugonia follows Teddy (Jesse Plemons), a conspiracy-theorist who believes that Michelle Fuller (Emma Stone), CEO of pharmaceutical megacorp Auxolith, is secretly an Andromedan – an alien species sent to force humanity into slavery. The signs are subtle, but there of course: and all of it is highlighted by the fact that the bees are dying out, naturally. Brainwashing his young autistic cousin Don (Aidan Delbis) into his plot, the pair kidnap Michelle, in an attempt to get her to negotiate the fate of Earth with the Andromedan leaders. As expected, nothing goes as Teddy expected.
While suitably absurd and fantastical, unlike some of the last few films Lanthimos has drawn acclaim for (e.g. Poor Things and The Favourite), Bugonia tells a much more intimate story, honing in on its small lead ensemble to present something driven by its characters rather than the much grander world they inhabit. There isn't the chance to show off the director's flair for excellent production design, not until the final act of the film at least, but instead, it allows two character actors at the peak of their game to do some excellent work. Certainly, this is outstanding work from both Plemons and Stone, both individually and in their ability to play off each other.
Plemons leans into the desperation of Teddy, his beliefs feeling grounded, if only by the sheer tenacity with which he clings to him. In opposition, Stone manages to keep her cool, her seemingly-rational persona in direct opposition to her captor. They are both unsettling and at times terrifying, but also deeply funny, always asking the viewer to examine the absurdity of the situation. Rounding off the central trio is Delbis as Don, who is a particular standout. Compared to the harsh edges of both Michelle and Teddy, Delbis plays Don with real tenderness. His understanding of the situation is limited, but his desire to support his cousin through everything is unlimited, and this love and need for connection is a powerful anchor throughout the film. When we get lost in knowing the truth, it is these central characters who help us to see things from all sides, exposing us to their differing perspectives.
And we definitely do get lost in knowing the truth, with Lanthimos' film doing a great job at constantly shifting what we think is true and false. This is aided by the brilliance of Jerskin Fendrix's score. Where in Poor Things the unusual and unsettled nature of the music served to show us Bella's wonder for the wider world, here Fendrix plays on that unease to create a feeling of claustrophobia. The inventive cinematography from Robbie Ryan also leans into this unease.
For those who know the plot of the original, the story beats are pretty much the same. For those going in blind, however, Bugonia is a wild ride. While it is by no means Lanthimos's best, it serves as a brilliant reminder of his creativity as a storyteller, and even more so as a reminder of how well he works with some of the best actors of our day.
Bugonia is available on digital platforms now
