Bugonia is a darkly comic, wildly unsettling film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and released in 2025. It blends black comedy, sci-fi, and psychological thriller elements into an intense character study about belief, paranoia, and the modern world. The movie is a controversial and unforgettable experience that deliberately refuses to let you watch passively.
Detailed Summary
Introduction — The World Is Dying, So Are Its Beekeepers
The story begins by introducing Teddy (Jesse Plemons) and his cousin Don (Aidan Delbis). Teddy is a down-on-his-luck beekeeper and conspiracy theorist convinced that the world is on the brink of destruction at the hands of extraterrestrial forces. Don is his uneasy accomplice — skittish, loyal, and trying to keep Teddy grounded.
The Kidnapping — When Conspiracy Turns Violent
Obsessed with theories about aliens and corporate malfeasance, Teddy and Don plot something extreme: they kidnap Michelle Fuller (Emma Stone), a powerful CEO of Auxolith, a global pharmaceutical giant. They shave her head, restrain her in a dingy basement, and force bizarre “tests” and interrogations — all in the belief that she is an alien in disguise.
Escalating Chaos — Torture, Doubt, and Power Plays
As days pass in confinement, the dynamic between the three becomes increasingly tense. Michelle oscillates between intimidation, manipulation, and desperate attempts to assert her humanity. Teddy’s paranoia deepens; Don wavers between compassion and fear. Surreal flashbacks reveal the personal traumas and social distrust that forged Teddy’s dangerous worldview — including how his mother’s health was affected by pharmaceuticals.
Confrontation and Confession
What begins as a seemingly ridiculous conspiracy spirals into something darker when Michelle eventually admits she is not entirely human — she claims to be an alien empress from the Andromeda Galaxy, although she insists her people’s intentions are misunderstood. This confession blows open the entire premise of the kidnapping and forces all three characters, and the audience, to question truth, reality, and power.
Movie Ending
The ending of Bugonia is one of the most discussed and divisive conclusions of 2025 cinema. After Michelle’s revelation:
Teddy becomes obsessed with meeting her “mothership.” In a surreal twist, he steps into what appears to be a teleportation apparatus — only to trigger a bomb hidden on his chest, detonating in a grisly sequence that ends his life.
Meanwhile, Michelle’s alien origin is confirmed not just verbally but visually, as she disappears into the cosmos and appears aboard her ship. From there, she assists in the decision to end humanity’s “experiment” on Earth — sparing nature and extinguishing civilization. The final montage is bleak but open-ended: landscapes recovering, ecosystems thriving, while humanity fades. Lanthimos leaves the interpretation up to you — is it nihilistic? Liberating? Both?
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No. Bugonia has no post-credits scenes — the film’s conclusion is intentionally the final word. You can safely leave when the credits begin.
Type of Movie
Bugonia is a genre-defying film that feels like a black comedy wrapped in sci-fi and psychological thriller layers. It confronts conspiracy culture through surreal violence, ironic humor, and deeply disturbing performances — it’s not for the faint of heart but hugely rewarding for viewers open to adult themes and ambiguity.
Cast
- Emma Stone as Michelle Fuller
- Jesse Plemons as Teddy
- Aidan Delbis as Don
- Stavros Halkias as Casey
- Alicia Silverstone as Sandy
Film Music and Composer
The score of Bugonia is composed by Jerskin Fendrix, whose haunting, experimental music underlines the film’s psychological tension and unconventional energy. The soundtrack also incorporates striking brews of silence and discord to emphasize discomfort.
Filming Locations
The movie was shot across multiple international locations:
- Oxfordshire, Henley-on-Thames, and Oxshott (UK)
- New York, Georgia (USA)
- Greece (including Sarakiniko Beach, Milos) after a planned Acropolis shoot fell through due to permissions issues.
These locales contributed to the film’s contrast between sterile corporate spaces and raw, isolated wilderness — mirroring the story’s descent from civilization into primal fear.
Awards and Nominations
Bugonia earned significant critical recognition:
- Junior Jury Top Prize — won.
- Multiple nominations for Best Actress (Emma Stone) and Best Actor (Jesse Plemons) at critics’ circles.
- Best Adapted Screenplay won at San Diego Film Critics Society.
- Nominated for awards including Best Original Score, Best Makeup & Hair, and more.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Stone shaved her head for the role, giving the film an instantly striking visual signature.
- The movie is an English-language adaptation of the 2003 South Korean cult classic Save the Green Planet!: a bold reinterpretation instead of a straight remake.
- Lanthimos and Stone have collaborated previously on The Favourite and Poor Things — this film marks another intense pairing.
- The planned Acropolis shoot was denied permission, leading to a relocation that shaped the film’s final visuals.
Inspirations and References
Bugonia takes its core concept from the 2003 film Save the Green Planet! and reimagines it for global modern anxieties. It references:
- Conspiracy culture and internet paranoia
- Corporate distrust and bioethics debates
- Kafkaesque psychological claustrophobia and surrealist narrative styles
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
No official alternate endings have been publicly released, but early scripts suggested heavier focus on the nature vs humanity theme and extended surreal sequences involving the mothership that were trimmed for pacing.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The original kidnapping and head-shaving — establishes tone immediately.
- Michelle’s confession of alien identity — flips the plot.
- Teddy’s final decision inside the teleportation chamber — shocking and fatal.
Iconic Quotes
- “You think I’m alien? Good. But I am more human than you.” — Michelle
- “This world isn’t ending. I’m just saving it.” — Teddy
- “Truth is a cage of its own.” — Don
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Several dialogue callbacks mimic real conspiracy theories circulating online.
- The name Auxolith hints at “ancient stone” lore — a subtle existential metaphor.
- Props and set details echo the original 2003 film’s cult symbolism.
Trivia
- The title Bugonia refers historically to spontaneous generation of life — a darkly ironic comment on the film’s themes.
- Despite critical acclaim, the movie had a modest box office performance relative to its budget.
- Some critics describe it as one of Lanthimos’s bleakest works to date.
Why Watch?
Bugonia is ideal for viewers who love films that linger in your mind, questioning reality, society, and what we choose to believe. If you enjoy stories that are clever, unsettling, unpredictable, and thematically rich, this film delivers on all fronts.
Director’s Other Works (With Years)
- Dogtooth (2009)
- The Lobster (2015)
- The Favourite (2018)
- Poor Things (2023)
- Kinds of Kindness (2024)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Save the Green Planet! (2003)
- The Lobster (2015)
- Enemy (2013)
- Under the Skin (2013)
