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Bugonia
CJ ENM CJ ENM
Element Pictures Element Pictures
Fremantle Fremantle
Fruit Tree Fruit Tree
?
Pith Quest Films

Not part of a collection.

Bugonia

Of all the abductions, this one is different.

2025 119 min ★ 7.3 (2,400) Released
Comedy Science Fiction Thriller

Two conspiracy obsessed young men kidnap the high-powered CEO of a major company, convinced that she is an alien intent on destroying planet Earth.

Original title
Bugonia
Language
EN
Country
US
Budget
$55,000,000
Revenue
$43,500,000
Reviews & Ratings 6
The Fixate & Binge Podcast, w/ Joe Curdy

The Fixate & Binge Podcast, w/ Joe Curdy

Jul 29, 2026 · via TMDB

★ 8.0

First, let's get the obvious out of the way: > *Bugonia* means a ritual or belief about bees coming out of carcasses of dead animals translates, literally into 'Ox Birth' -- an ancient Greek belief that killing an Ox would engender honey bees to emerge from the ritualistically sacrificed [animal.In](http://animal.In) other words, new life emerging from a decaying one -- an idea more in harmony with our ecosystem's life cycle. (Unfortunately, our planet also runs on the black ooze from decaying life, too). **BUGONIA**, by writer and director Yorgos Lanthimos, is his fourth collaboration with leading actress, Emma Stone. Perhaps more astonishing, is Lanthimos' prolific results from three of those four collaborations in just the last three years, starting with 2023's acclaimed **POOR THINGS**, 2024's **KINDS OF KINDNESS** and now, with this year's **BUGONIA**. (Over the past couple years one wonders if Stone or Lanthimos ever woke up while on location unsure which film they're working on). In **BUGONIA**, Lanthimos tries something a bit different -- adapting his film from the 2003 South Korean black comedy, thriller **SAVE THE GREEN PLANET!** -- with some obvious adjustments. With a plot that has elements of 1990's **MISERY**, two films from 2001 **FRAILTY** and the underappreciated **K-PAX**, **BUGONIA** is a slower-moving film that may challenge fans of Lanthimos' earlier work to get into. The film presents two conspiracy-obsessed young men -- played by Jesse Plemons and newcomer Aiden Delbis -- who are convinced that a wealthy and powerful CEO -- Stone's Michelle -- is an actual alien actively hastening the destruction of humankind on earth, including the first phase of their diabolical plan with decimating bee colonies around the world. This sounds far-fetched from the outset until we recognize that, yes, bees are responsible for over 1/3 of all food crops around the entire world, and if the bees are dying, then mankind has quite a lot to lose. But taking things one step further, is Plemons' Teddy who hatches a plan with his supine cousin Don (played touchingly by Delbis) to kidnap Michelle the CEO and force her to make contact with the alien Andromedons (so dubbed by Teddy as he claims they originate from the neighboring Andromeda Galaxy) on their mother ship in space to plead for mankind's preservation. This all sounds like a harebrained scheme -- but eventually, the conspiratorial duo carry out their plan, imprisoning Stone's Michelle in their basement, but not before shaving off all her hair (as seen on camera) to prevent her from making contact with the mother ship. (Yes, as harebrained as that sounds, that is why). What follows next is a psychological back and forth between the trio encamped at their dilapidated farmhouse -- until a lunar eclipse in a few days time arrives before the trip to the mother ship must happen. What keeps audiences guessing is the fact that this is a Lanthimos film who as a director is nothing if not unpredictable. While the absurdity of the claims made by Teddy (who admits he has been on both ends of the conspiratorial spectrum) are our only handrail for his crazy ideas -- Lanthimos finds unexpected ways to subvert those expectations, delivering a "WTF did I just watch?" conclusion that is among his best. Not everything clicked for me in **BUGONIA**, but the film's boldness powered by Stone's brilliant, icy, ‘Queen Bee’ CEO performance, Plemons' paranoia together with Delbis' loveable portrayal as the loyal sidekick, this is a film very much worthy of being amongst Lanthimos' best.

B

badelf

Jun 8, 2026 · via TMDB

★ 9.0

I am reviewing Bugonia (2025) and Save the Green Planet (2003) together because I watched Bugonia before I discovered that it was a remake. As a rule, I don't watch remakes, especially Hollywood versions, because my experience is that they are never as good as the original. In this case, however, both of these films were excellent. My understanding is that Jang Joon-hwan was scheduled to direct the remake but was unable due to health issues. The choice of Lanthimos as replacement was perfect - I can't imagine anyone else truly understanding the wacky, dark humor of this narrative. Both films operate as a brilliant, hilarious, and deeply sardonic condemnation of mankind's worst impulses; the corporate titan at the center is a symbol of everything the industrial revolution unleashed upon the world. The films ask: what if the real aliens are those who've become so disconnected from humanity, from the earth itself, that they've transformed into something monstrous? The conceit, played with dark absurdist humor, becomes a funhouse mirror reflecting our own ecological devastation, our worship of profit over life, our willingness to sacrifice everything for growth, expansion, conquest. Hwang Jung-min and Emma Stone both deliver spectacular performances as the corporate head, each bringing completely distinct energy to the role. Hwang embodies a certain kind of entitled arrogance with physical precision; Stone brings her signature intensity, that coiled spring quality that can snap from charm to menace. Similarly, Lee Byeong-gu and Jesse Plemons as the alien hunter couldn't be more different in their approaches, yet both are utterly compelling. Lee's manic desperation contrasts sharply with Plemons' measured, almost gentle menace; it's fascinating how the same narrative can accommodate such divergent interpretations and still maintain its strange, unsettling power. The South Koreans currently own the world when it comes to dark cinema, and Save the Green Planet deserves its 10/10 for sheer creativity, audacity, and tonal control. It's a film that shouldn't work, that juggles too many genres, too many tones, and yet it becomes something wholly original. Bugonia follows closely at 9/10, and honestly, it's gutsy as hell for a Western production. In an era when Hollywood too often sands down edges and softens blows, Lanthimos preserves the original's willingness to go to uncomfortable, absurd, and uncompromising places. Both films understand that sometimes the only appropriate response to our collective madness is laughter, and laughter is the vaseline that lets Joon-hwan insert the probe, er, I mean film's message.

M

marawatchthis

May 3, 2026 · via TMDB

For me, one of Yorgos's best films to date. I used to think Jesse Plemons was just an average actor, but I'm starting to really appreciate his acting, as he's surprised me lately, appearing in different films and adapting perfectly to very different roles. 100% recommended.

E

ergenekon

Feb 11, 2026 · via TMDB

★ 8.0

It was a good movie to watch. Brutal torture and low pace in the middle may be harsh and boring, but eventually covers everything.

C

Chandler Danier

Dec 24, 2025 · via TMDB

★ 8.0

Brutal torture excused with a joke. It was intense. Excessive I felt but...corpo freaks! Tee hee the end with the lovely outfits. I went in blind. It was fun. Some of the most interesting people in film all doing stuff. Watch it as it's more interesting than the other shit out there.

Dean

Dean

Nov 30, 2025 · via TMDB

★ 10.0

Wow, what a twist! I won't say anything about to avoid spoilers, but it's just mindblowing and unique movie. Definitely a masterpiece!

User reviews courtesy of TMDB.

Keywords 23
absurdism alien alien conspiracy alien invasion capitalism comedy horror dark comedy delusion ecologism excited extraterrestrial global threat hierarchy kidnapping mental illness paranoia political conflict power politics remake satire saving the world social critique symbolism
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Cast 12
Emma Stone

Emma Stone

Michelle

Jesse Plemons

Jesse Plemons

Teddy

Aidan Delbis

Aidan Delbis

Don

Stavros Halkias

Stavros Halkias

Casey

Alicia Silverstone

Alicia Silverstone

Sandy

J. Carmen Galindez Barrera

J. Carmen Galindez Barrera

Ricky / Security Guard

Marc T. Lewis

Marc T. Lewis

Tony

Vanessa Eng

Vanessa Eng

Corey

Cedric Dumornay

Cedric Dumornay

Chris

Atsushi Nishijima

Atsushi Nishijima

Chief Andromedan

Jerskin Fendrix

Jerskin Fendrix

Andromedan

Ava Kris Tyson

Ava Kris Tyson

Bees (Voice) (Uncredited)

Crew 43
Vasilis Marmatakis

Vasilis Marmatakis

Graphic Designer

Sarah Carter

Sarah Carter

Set Decoration

Vasilis Marmatakis

Vasilis Marmatakis

Title Designer

Robbie Ryan

Robbie Ryan

Director of Photography

Atsushi Nishijima

Atsushi Nishijima

Still Photographer

Jennifer Johnson

Jennifer Johnson

Costume Design

Adruitha Lee

Adruitha Lee

Hair Department Head

Hannah Grant

Hannah Grant

Stunt Double

Nick Benseman

Nick Benseman

Stunt Double

Aja Frary

Aja Frary

Stunts

Elaina Rae Haehnle

Elaina Rae Haehnle

Stunts

Janelle Beaudry

Janelle Beaudry

Stunts

Jwaundace Candece

Jwaundace Candece

Stunts

Keith Adams

Keith Adams

Stunts

Kevin Waterman

Kevin Waterman

Stunts

Laurence Chavez

Laurence Chavez

Stunts

Lex D. Geddings

Lex D. Geddings

Stunts

Nick DeKay

Nick DeKay

Stunts

Nikita Mitchell

Nikita Mitchell

Stunts

Regis Harrington

Regis Harrington

Stunts

Ariane Labed

Ariane Labed

Thanks

Efthimis Filippou

Efthimis Filippou

Thanks

Yorgos Stefanakos

Yorgos Stefanakos

Thanks

Yorgos Lanthimos

Yorgos Lanthimos

Director

Greg Fisher

Greg Fisher

Colorist

Yorgos Mavropsaridis

Yorgos Mavropsaridis

Editor

Jennifer Venditti

Jennifer Venditti

Casting

Jang Joon-hwan

Jang Joon-hwan

Executive Producer

Andrew Lowe

Andrew Lowe

Producer

Ari Aster

Ari Aster

Producer

Ed Guiney

Ed Guiney

Producer

Emma Stone

Emma Stone

Producer

Lars Knudsen

Lars Knudsen

Producer

Miky Lee

Miky Lee

Producer

Yorgos Lanthimos

Yorgos Lanthimos

Producer

Jerskin Fendrix

Jerskin Fendrix

Conductor

Johnnie Burn

Johnnie Burn

Music Editor

Jerskin Fendrix

Jerskin Fendrix

Original Music Composer

Johnnie Burn

Johnnie Burn

Sound Designer

Johnnie Burn

Johnnie Burn

Sound Re-Recording Mixer

Johnnie Burn

Johnnie Burn

Supervising Sound Editor

Jang Joon-hwan

Jang Joon-hwan

Original Film Writer

Will Tracy

Will Tracy

Screenplay

Gallery 342
Videos 23
Similar Movies 786
US Release Dates 14

Aug 30, 2025

Telluride Film Festival

Premiere

Sep 22, 2025

Fantastic Fest

Premiere

Oct 5, 2025

Mill Valley Film Festival

Premiere

Oct 8, 2025

Beyond Fest

Premiere

Oct 16, 2025

Chicago International Film Festival

Premiere

Oct 17, 2025

Woodstock Film Festival

Premiere

Oct 18, 2025

FocusFest / Montclair Film Festival / Philadelphia Film Festival

Premiere

Oct 22, 2025

AFI Fest / Twin Cities Film Fest

Premiere

Oct 24, 2025

R Theatrical (Limited)

Oct 31, 2025

R Theatrical

Nov 25, 2025

R Digital

Dec 23, 2025

4K Ultra HD / Blu-ray / DVD

R Physical

Dec 26, 2025

Peacock

R Digital

Apr 26, 2026

Netflix

R Digital

© 2025-2026 MovieNight. All rights reserved.

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The Stranglers - Live '78, SF

The Stranglers - Live '78, SF

1978

VS
Saddle Leather Law

Saddle Leather Law

1944

Sign in to vote

Battle your watched movies head-to-head

Community Top Movies

🥇 Evil Dead II

Evil Dead II

1987 · 14 wins

🥈 The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight

2008 · 14 wins

🥉 Halloween

Halloween

1978 · 13 wins

#4 Final Destination

Final Destination

2000 · 12 wins

#5 Halloween II

Halloween II

1981 · 11 wins

Sign in to build your own ranking
0 Points
0/0 Correct
0 Streak

Playing as a guest — sign in to save your score and rank on the leaderboard.

Movie Trivia

Guess the movie from a clue — tagline, plot, cast and more. Pick from four posters.

What movie experience do you prefer?

Movie theater — theater popcorn with Icee/soda & maybe nachos 67%
At home — relaxed on your favorite couch or chair with whatever drinks & snacks are in the kitchen 33%
3 votes

What is your favorite movie genre?

Action 33%
Adventure 0%
Animation 0%
Comedy 0%
Crime 0%
Documentary 0%
Drama 0%
Family 0%
Fantasy 0%
History 0%
Horror 67%
Music 0%
Mystery 0%
Romance 0%
Science Fiction 0%
Thriller 0%
War 0%
Western 0%
3 votes

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