Bugonia

Bugonia follows two conspiracy-obsessed young men, Teddy and Don, who become convinced that Michelle, a charismatic CEO of a sprawling corporation, is an extraterrestrial bent on ending life on Earth. They kidnap her to extract confessions and to expose what they think is a cosmic threat. As the hostage situation unfolds, shifting loyalties, half-truths and paranoia complicate their plan, and the captors and captive test one another's assumptions about truth, power and responsibility. The film keeps its suspense taut while leaning into dark humor and surreal moments, letting character interactions reveal motives instead of relying on overt explanation. Emma Stone plays Michelle with cool intensity, while Jesse Plemons and Aidan Delbis give the conspirators jittery, uncertain edges and sustained tension.

Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, Bugonia was created by Jang Joon-hwan and Will Tracy and released in 2025, featuring Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Aidan Delbis, Stavros Halkias and Alicia Silverstone. Its marketing leaned into the film's genre-bending elements, emphasizing Lanthimos's tone.

Bugonia opened in select theaters and on streaming windows, earning a modest audience. No widely reported worldwide gross has been published as of early 2025. It drew particular attention on streaming platforms and kept a steady presence in specialty cinemas.

The film sparked discussion for its unusual blend of crime procedural and science fiction, and for Lanthimos's offbeat tone paired with a mainstream lead. Early debates focused on its take on conspiracy culture and corporate power. Podcasts and think pieces widely interrogated its commentary on online radicalization and corporate secrecy.

Audience ratings average 7.403/10 from 1,111 votes, reflecting generally favorable reactions. Critics highlighted strong performances, unsettling humor and a focus on paranoia, belief and accountability, though some reviewers disliked its deliberate pacing and ambiguous moral stance. Stone's performance was praised for balancing menace and vulnerability, with Plemons noted for intensity.