Bugonia (2025)
๐ฌ Bugonia (2025)
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Screenplay: Will Tracy (adapted from Jang Joon-hwan’s 2003 Korean cult classic Save the Green Planet!)
Primary Production Companies: Element Pictures, Square Peg, Fruit Tree, CJ ENM
Distributors: Focus Features (U.S.), Universal Pictures (international), CJ ENM (South Korea)
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| Official Poster |
๐ฃ Quick Information
- Type: Science-fiction black comedy / psychological thriller
- Language: English
- Starring: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Aidan Delbis, Stavros Halkias, Alicia Silverstone
- Runtime: 1h 58m
- Music: Jerskin Fendrix
- Cinematography: Robbie Ryan (shot on 35mm; VistaVision)
- Editing: Yorgos Mavropsaridis
๐ Release Date
- World Premiere: August 28, 2025 — Venice Film Festival (Main Competition)
- U.S. Theatrical (Limited): October 24, 2025
- U.S. Wide Expansion: October 31, 2025
The first official trailer dropped on August 28, 2025, the same day as its Venice debut. It featured Chappell Roan’s hit “Good Luck, Babe!” and Emma Stone’s dramatic shaved-head reveal—instantly trending online.
⭐ Genre
Sci-Fi • Black Comedy • Mystery/Thriller
๐ญ Cast
- Emma Stone as Michelle Fuller
- Jesse Plemons as Teddy
- Aidan Delbis as Don
- Stavros Halkias as Casey
- Alicia Silverstone as Sandy
๐ Plot (Spoiler-Free)
Two conspiracy-obsessed young men abduct the CEO of a powerful pharmaceutical conglomerate. They believe she’s an alien orchestrating humanity’s downfall. In their bunker, they interrogate her, shave her head “to block the mothership,” and put her on a bizarre trial that blends paranoia, dark comedy, and psychological tension.
The story keeps the bones of Save the Green Planet! but adapts it for Western audiences, sharpening its satire around conspiracies, corporate mistrust, and paranoia in the digital age.
๐ฅ Fan Buzz & Early Critical Temperature
Buzz has been electric. The shaved-head reveal and the remake angle fueled massive online chatter. Early festival reactions are divided—some critics hail it as bold and disturbing, others call it punishing and hard to watch.
But that split reaction is typical for Yorgos Lanthimos: his films spark debate, memes, and long conversations, ensuring Bugonia will not be ignored.
๐ฌ Facts
- Remake Lineage: Direct remake of Jang Joon-hwan’s 2003 Save the Green Planet!
- Production: Filmed in High Wycombe, England (2024), with additional work in Milos, Greece (2025).
- Format: Shot on 35mm VistaVision for a textured, analog look.
- Location Controversy: Greece’s Central Archaeological Council denied a request to film at the Acropolis. The finale was instead filmed at Milos’s Sarakiniko Beach.
- Stone & Lanthimos Partnership: This is their fourth film together after The Favourite, Poor Things, and Kinds of Kindness.
- Producers: A heavyweight lineup including Ari Aster, Emma Stone, and CJ ENM.
๐ Marketing Strategy
- Trailer + Festival Sync: The trailer drop coincided with Venice, maximizing global exposure.
- Viral Visuals: Emma Stone’s shaved head became the film’s striking promotional image.
- Release Window: A late October slot places it between Halloween curiosity and award-season momentum.
- Real-World Hook: Marketed as a parable of conspiracy and paranoia in contemporary society.
๐ฌ Behind-the-Scenes
- Filming Challenges: The rejected Acropolis request forced a pivot to Milos, which became one of the film’s most atmospheric settings.
- Visual Language: Lanthimos and Robbie Ryan use static compositions, negative space, and analog film grain to reinforce unease.
- Screenplay: Will Tracy adapted the original with Western references, shifting the satire to Big Pharma and internet-fueled conspiracy culture.
✂️ Deleted Scenes
While no official deleted scenes are confirmed, reports suggest the original plan for a climactic Acropolis sequence may have been abandoned due to filming restrictions. This likely altered the finale’s staging but preserved its thematic impact by relocating to Milos.
๐งช Themes
- Conspiracy as Community: Beliefs become a shared home, not just an idea.
- Control & Perception: Michelle’s head shaving symbolizes power and violation.
- Certainty vs. Truth: The film explores the danger of absolute conviction.
- Cultural Reframing: Updating the Korean original for 2025 highlights the evolution of paranoia in the digital era.
๐งญ Audience Reception
- Lanthimos Fans: Will appreciate his absurdist, unsettling signature style.
- Newcomers: More accessible than his stranger works but still challenging.
- Fans of the Original: A faithful remake that sharpens its satire for modern audiences.
๐ฏ Final Verdict
Bugonia is not easy viewing—it’s a sharp, unsettling reflection of our conspiratorial age. Emma Stone delivers a raw, transformative performance, while Jesse Plemons grounds the madness in eerie sincerity.
It’s a film meant to divide, disturb, and linger long after the credits roll. For audiences who crave bold, conversation-starting cinema, Bugonia is unmissable.
๐ Filming Locations
- High Wycombe, England
- Milos, Greece (Sarakiniko Beach)
๐งพ Credits At-A-Glance
- Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
- Screenplay: Will Tracy
- Producers: Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Yorgos Lanthimos, Emma Stone, Ari Aster, Lars Knudsen, Miky Lee, Jerry Kyoungboum Ko
- Cast: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Aidan Delbis, Stavros Halkias, Alicia Silverstone
- Cinematography: Robbie Ryan
- Editing: Yorgos Mavropsaridis
- Music: Jerskin Fendrix
๐ Key Dates
- Venice Premiere: August 28, 2025
- U.S. Limited Release: October 24, 2025
- U.S. Wide Release: October 31, 2025
- Trailer Release: August 28, 2025
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