Audiences in the UK were lucky enough to receive two feature films from director Yorgos Lanthimos last year; Poor Things, which received wide critical acclaim and praise, and Kinds of Kindness, a much more divisive affair that didn’t live up to the recent hype. Suffice it to say that fans didn’t quite know what to expect from this years outing, though anticipation has been building quickly as the marketing and trailers looked promising. Starring recent collaborators Emma Stone (Poor Things) and Jesse Plemons (Kinds of Kindness), Bugonia follows two conspiracy-obsessed young men who kidnap the high-powered CEO of a major company, convinced she is an alien intent on destroying planet Earth. With excellent performances from our cast and plenty of Lanthimos’ likable flair and style, Bugonia is a darkly comedic yet shocking tale of mental health, conspiracies and corporate greed.
Audiences who are familiar with Lanthimos’ work know he has a proclivity for the weird and wonderful, and whilst Bugonia certainly fits that brief, it also shows quite a bit more restraint than we’re used to. Though becoming crazier and less ambiguous as the run-time progresses, much of the movie is built on ping-pong style debates and conversations, a single location of a basement and a chance for the audience to reflect on and take in the prominent themes present. The dialogue is engaging and gripping from start to finish, presenting conversations that feel really grounded and familiar despite talk of aliens, motherships and communicating via hair. This dialogue driven approach really lets the actors shine, showing that some films only need a few good ideas and talented individuals delivering them to impress and entertain. Bugonia doesn’t just delve into conspiracy theories and the effect consuming said ideas on the internet can have on the mind, but how events in our lives can alter our mental health and make us susceptible to these ideas, as we want to believe in something better and higher. Also delving into corporate greed and our perception of those who are rich and in power, there’s a lot to chew on here, and each theme is explored thoroughly yet left to breathe.
What makes Bugonia so palatable despite the heaviness is the darkly wicked humor that runs through its veins. It certainly has its shocking and dark moments as the synopsis suggests, and Stone’s character Michelle gets put through her paces, but behind every blood splatter is a laugh-out-loud physical gag or one-liner within the script. Even the sheer absurdity of it all is enough to make you laugh in an uncomfortable manner; those who appreciate the darker side of comedy are bound to be impressed by Bugonia. Lanthimos and writer Will Tracy (The Menu) balance these tones well, meaning the sinister moments have a hefty impact on the audience, gasps and jaw-dropping likely. It needs to be said that despite boasting laughs aplenty, Bugonia is not for the faint of heart. Without wandering into the realm of spoilers, there are plenty of thrilling aspects in store that some may even believe dip their toe into the pool of sheer horror. Bouts of gore and torturous themes are scattered into the screenplay, making for a disturbing ride that’ll undoubtedly stay with you. Rest assured that the humor helps keep you in check whilst you experience the violence, but a visceral reaction is likely. Furthermore, fans of Lanthimos’ more bonkers work needn’t be put off, as although Bugonia is built on conversation, he still has many tricks up his sleeve to make his picture stand out.
If you’re tuning in for the performances alone, you won’t be disappointed on that front, either. We all know that Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos make magic together, and her performance as CEO Michelle Fuller is no exception. A character that can only be described as a boss bitch, who wakes up at 4:30 to exercise and train before wading into her corporate 9-5 in sky-high Louboutin heels, Michelle is quite a different breed for Stone, who fits into those heels perfectly. Whether she’s telling her staff to finish early if they’re sure they can, and most definitely don’t have any work left to do, to trying to convince Plemons’ Teddy that she’s most certainly NOT an alien hellbent on destroying Earth, Stone delivers each line of dialogue with confidence and bravado. When she needs to be emotional, she slips into that effortlessly, showcasing the pain Michelle is put through believably. Newcomer Aidan Delbis is also fantastic as Don, a slightly more reluctant kidnapper that can’t always be certain that she is an alien, but wants to support his cousin with this endeavor as they only have each other and have been through a lot. However good the pair are, this is Plemons movie through and through. Playing avid conspiracy theorist Teddy with the utmost believability, Plemons completely transforms himself. Guided by a sad and terrible past, mentally unwell but not able to see it, and utterly convinced he has the ability to spot the aliens hiding among us, Plemons delivery of the insane dialogue, his comedic timing and even at times his physicality makes for an impressive watch. It’s a performance deserving of an Academy Award win, let alone a nomination.
From the wacky and engaging dialogue to the excellent score from Jerskin Fendrix and the visual style that compliments everything perfectly, Bugonia is a triumph. Intense and engaging themes pave the way for both intriguing, timely discourse and thigh-slapping humor, with performances from Stone, Plemons and Delbis that show full understanding of the complexity of the story. Oozing with flair in every aspect and presenting plenty of surprises alongside the rich dialogue, Bugonia is as wacky a watch as any Lanthimos picture, but also one of his most grounded and restrained.
