At the 2025 Venice Film Festival, Yorgos Lanthimos premiered Bugonia, starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, a darkly comic sci-fi thriller that mirrors contemporary anxieties through alien abduction and conspiracy obsession.
A Disturbing Premise With Real-World Echoes
In Yorgos Lanthimos’ latest film, Bugonia, a conspiracy-obsessed man kidnaps the head of a pharmaceutical company, convinced she is an alien plotting humanity’s destruction. Jesse Plemons plays the disturbed abductor, Teddy Gatz, while Emma Stone portrays his hostage, Michelle.
Although the plot may seem far-fetched, Lanthimos argues that much of it reflects the real world. “Not much of the dystopia in this film is very fictional,” he said at the Venice Film Festival. “A lot of it is very reflective of the real world.”
Bugonia had its world premiere on August 28, 2025, at Venice, where it is competing for the Golden Lion. Focus Features plans to release it in North American theaters on October 24.
From Korea to Venice: The Origins of Bugonia
The film is an English-language remake of the 2003 Korean cult hit Save the Green Planet!, blending science fiction, horror, and comedy. Written by Will Tracy, the adaptation had been in development for years, with Ari Aster initially attached before Lanthimos took the helm.
Plemons’ character, obsessed with the belief that Stone is an alien, embodies the film’s dark humor and satirical bite. While the story is comedic at times, it also carries a weighty impact, provoking viewers to think deeply about paranoia, control, and human behavior.
Bold Performances and Creative Risks
Emma Stone, who previously collaborated with Lanthimos on The Favourite and Poor Things, took a bold step for this role by shaving her head. The choice underlines the extreme transformation of her character and her willingness to fully immerse herself in Lanthimos’ vision.
The performances, combined with Lanthimos’ signature deadpan surrealism, create a film that is both funny and unsettling—a hallmark of the director’s work.
Themes That Resonate
At Venice, Stone even expressed her personal belief in the possibility of extraterrestrial life, aligning with the film’s speculative premise. Lanthimos emphasizes that beyond its sci-fi and horror elements, Bugonia tackles pressing modern issues: artificial intelligence, societal desensitization, and the paranoia that can take hold in contemporary culture.
“Even though it feels heightened, it’s relevant,” Lanthimos said. “It felt very relevant three years ago when we started developing it, and it feels even more relevant now.”
Release and Anticipation
Bugonia is set to hit theaters in North America on October 24, 2025, following its Venice premiere, where critics and audiences are already discussing its daring mix of comedy, horror, and social commentary.
With a combination of strong performances, unsettling humor, and a thought-provoking story, Bugonia promises to be a standout in this year’s festival circuit and a film that will linger in viewers’ minds long after the credits roll.