Lanthimos‘ “Bugonia” Delivers a Paranoia-Fueled comedy,Earns 9/10 Rating
Yorgos Lanthimos’ latest film,”Bugonia,” starring Emma Stone,Jesse Plemons,and Aidan Delbis,is being hailed as the bleakest comedy of the year. The film marks the third collaboration between Lanthimos and Stone, building on a dynamic partnership where Lanthimos uniquely utilizes Stone’s star power.
“Bugonia” centers on teddy (Plemons) and Don (Delbis), two men driven by conspiracy theories who kidnap Michelle Fuller (Stone), the CEO of a major company, believing her to be an alien plotting Earth’s destruction. The premise is adapted from the 2003 Korean film “Save the Green Planet!”
The film’s strength lies in its ability to immerse the audience in the characters’ escalating paranoia,seamlessly shifting between humor and suspense.Critics note Plemons delivers a career-best performance, while stone effectively leverages her on-screen presence even while physically restrained. Delbis, in his debut role, is praised for holding his own against his more established co-stars and serving as the film’s emotional core.
“Bugonia” joins a growing trend of films exploring conspiracy theories, similar to Ari Aster’s “eddington,” though with a narrower scope. The film’s final act, as the kidnappers’ plan unravels, is notably effective in maintaining ambiguity and prompting viewers to question reality until the credits roll.
“Bugonia” has received a 9/10 rating.
