Sat Oct 25 07:20:00 UTC 2025: Summary:
Yorgos Lanthimos’s new film, “Bugonia,” starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, is described as a departure from his typically bizarre and alienating style. While based on the sci-fi film “Save the Green Planet!,” the film feels more like a dark, demented take on Spielberg. The story centers on Teddy (Plemons), a conspiracy theorist beekeeper, and his cousin Don, who become convinced that Andromedans are controlling Earth and ruining it. Teddy fixates on Michelle (Stone), a wealthy pharmaceutical CEO, believing she is an Andromedan and the key to saving the planet. The film is noted for its relatively naturalistic dialogue and a surprising level of sadness, focusing on Teddy’s troubled life and descent into conspiracy theories. “Bugonia” is considered less weird, funny, or fun than other Lanthimos films, and its emphasis is on character development.
News Article:
Lanthimos’s “Bugonia” Takes a Surprisingly Grounded Turn with Stone and Plemons
CANNES, FRANCE – Renowned director Yorgos Lanthimos is back with “Bugonia,” a film starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons that deviates from his signature style of absurd, alien-like dialogue. Based on the 2003 sci-fi film “Save the Green Planet!,” “Bugonia” tells the story of Teddy (Plemons), a beekeeper convinced that Earth is secretly controlled by Andromedans.
Teddy, alongside his cousin Don, targets Michelle (Stone), a powerful pharmaceutical CEO, as the key to exposing the Andromedan plot. Unlike Lanthimos’s previous works like “Poor Things” and “Dogtooth,” “Bugonia” features remarkably naturalistic dialogue, with a plot that resembles a dark and distorted Spielbergian narrative.
Instead of the usual oddities and humor, “Bugonia” explores the sad reality of Teddy’s life and descent into internet conspiracy echo chambers. While the film is still uniquely Lanthimos, it is considered his most human film to date.
First Piper 