[6]
Two cousins (Jesse Plemons and Aidan Delbis) kidnap a famous pharmaceutical CEO (Emma Stone) because they believe she is an alien intent on harming humankind. Director Yorgos Lanthimos (Dogtooth, The Favourite) makes the deranged cousins sympathetic and the CEO unlikable, but he tries to keep you guessing to the very end whether or not Stone’s character is really an alien or not. If you’ve seen other film’s by Lanthimos, you can probably guess how the film ends.
Bugonia is largely theatrical affair that unfolds like a confined stage play, relying heavily on its trio of actors to carry the piece. The last half hour opens up a bit and escalates like a horror movie, surprising us with an ecological message at the end. (The film is based on a South Korean dark comedy titled Save the Green Planet.) Your ultimate enjoyment of Bugonia will depend largely on your opinion of this director’s absurdist style. What is not up for debate, however, are the tremendous performances from Stone, Plemons, and Delbis. All three are Oscar-worthy in their fearlessness and commitment.