It’s Emma Stone’s planet now as the alien comedy ‘Bugonia’ proves

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Many popular actors follow a familiar pattern – think of George Clooney as a successor to Clark Gable, or Brad Pitt building on Robert Redford’s legacy, and Cate Blanchett following in Katharine Hepburn’s footsteps. But Emma Stone is truly unique. She’s incredibly versatile, able to convincingly portray characters who are smart, goofy, beautiful, unlikeable, delicate, and terrifying, all at the same time, and with both subtlety and power. Some of her most interesting films, particularly those directed by Yorgos Lanthimos – like “The Favourite” and the Oscar-winning “Poor Things” – simply wouldn’t be possible without her particular talent.

Emma Stone previously excelled in visually rich, historical films that highlighted her acting skills. Now, in the darkly comedic film “Bugonia,” director Lanthimos has created a much more stripped-down experience. Stone powerfully commands attention with minimal props – a shaved head, a dirty coat, and a restrained smile – as she plays Michelle Fuller, a pharmaceutical CEO held captive. Covered in a strange white cream, Stone’s character delivers a chillingly calm explanation of why she should be released, staring directly into the camera in intense close-ups. Even with so little around her, her performance is captivating.

Michelle is being held captive by Teddy and Don (played by Jesse Plemons and Aidan Delbis), two working-class men who are deeply involved in conspiracy theories and increasingly isolated from mainstream society. Their small town feels deserted, filled with mostly just discount stores and fast food restaurants, and many of their neighbors seem to have already left. Teddy’s mother, Sandy (Alicia Silverstone), struggles with opioid addiction and appears in unsettling, black-and-white memories. The film opens with Teddy worried about another disappearance: the bees from his hobbyist beekeeping operation.

Teddy is trying to figure out why the bee colony in his backyard is failing. He suspects environmental issues or problems with the bees themselves, ideas he connects to the struggles of humanity. The movie isn’t subtle about these themes – it’s a raw and forceful story. However, Teddy believes the true cause is Michelle, who isn’t just creating harmful chemicals, but is actually an alien controlling events.

Michelle is rumored to be an alien from the Andromeda galaxy, and Teddy is convinced he can prove it. He points to her unusually thin cuticles and the fact that she looks far younger than her reported age of 45. Her skincare routine is incredibly lavish, almost impossibly so—in fact, Stone is only 36 years old.

Teddy’s determined to get Michelle to take him to what she believes is her mothership when the next lunar eclipse happens. But even more importantly to him, he needs Michelle to finally admit he’s been right all along – his pride depends on it. He’s stuck in a dead-end job, scanning boxes at a warehouse where Michelle’s picture is displayed, and has no money or future. His research into aliens is the only thing that gives his life meaning.

Voices

Friends of this L.A. teen will soon find out his big secret: He’s co-starring in ‘Bugonia’

Aidan Delbis, an actor with autism, is quickly becoming a Hollywood success story. He went directly from graduating high school to starring in a film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos.

Will Tracy’s script, based on the darkly comedic 2003 Korean film “Save the Green Planet!”, explores how easily people can fall into distorted thinking online – a problem that’s become much worse in the last twenty years. The main character, Teddy, claims he doesn’t rely on traditional news sources. More broadly, the story touches on the fundamental human desire for meaning and purpose. Teddy is so dedicated to his unusual mission – defeating beings he calls “Michelle-things” – that he’s even chemically castrated himself to stay focused. In a disturbing scene, he attempts to convince a vulnerable young man with autism, Don, to undergo the same procedure. The contrast between Teddy’s unwavering belief and his unassuming appearance creates a darkly humorous effect.

Michelle’s admission will prove their sacrifices were worthwhile, elevating the seemingly ordinary lives of Teddy and Don. Teddy is willing to use any means necessary, even torture, to get the information. Jesse Plemons, known from films like “Civil War” and “Game Night,” excels at portraying characters who are stubbornly and dangerously clueless, and he brings that skill to this role. However, it’s Delbis’ portrayal of Don – with his hesitant speech and lack of understanding of the situation – that truly evokes empathy. You end up feeling sorry for him despite everything.

Honestly, watching the two cousins, it’s clear they’re both completely off the rails, and the director doesn’t bother making us wonder if they’re seeing things correctly. He seems to trust we’ll immediately recognize they’re the ones with the problem, which, sadly, feels very real. It’s like how the world treats people: if you challenge things and get upset, you’re labeled as crazy. But if you just go along with everything, like Michelle does, you’re seen as reasonable, even if things are clearly falling apart. Interestingly, Teddy doesn’t really care about politics at all. He’s tried all sorts of groups – alt-right, leftist, everything – and he basically thinks most activism is just people trying to show off.

Michelle endures a shocking amount of mistreatment – describing it would feel like outlining a horror movie. Yet, Naomi Watts’ portrayal of Michelle allows us to find humor even in her difficult situation. When forced to cover herself in a lotion supposedly designed to weaken her, she applies it delicately, as if enjoying a spa treatment. This seemingly unbreakable CEO, who is friends with Michelle Obama, remains remarkably composed, calmly stating, “Let’s just unpack the problem here.” Michelle expertly uses upbeat language, avoids taking responsibility, and phrases things in a way that makes even harsh actions seem accidental. Her polished, corporate tone makes her appear almost robotic.

California

Initially, the film seems to poke fun at powerful women who pretend to be wise while still running flawed workplaces. However, Michelle’s character quickly becomes impressively clever and capable. She doesn’t need to force anyone to do her bidding; instead, she repeatedly and cheerfully agrees with them until they comply, and it’s remarkably effective—it even convinced me. There’s a moment where she calmly insists a transparent glass is actually solid, and I still question what I saw, even now.

Michelle and Teddy are stuck in a frustrating disagreement. They keep talking at each other, unable to connect because Teddy refuses to acknowledge Michelle as a fully realized person. Because of this, nothing Michelle says – or any rule or agreement – will matter to him until she gives him the specific answer he’s looking for. It’s also difficult to see Casey, the local sheriff, as a savior, as he has a complicated past with Teddy that prevents him from being a true hero.

The gap between the wealthy and the poor is vast, creating two completely different worlds. This is powerfully shown in the film through contrasting visuals: the messy, lived-in farmhouse of Teddy and Don versus Michelle’s cold, immaculate mansion and the bleak office park around it. Their lifestyles are also worlds apart – the men eat simple microwaved snacks, while Michelle focuses on health supplements. This echoes H.G. Wells’ warning in “The Time Machine” about classes diverging so much they become distinct groups, which explains why Michelle feels justified in acting ruthlessly.

The movie “Bugonia” is a darkly funny film that offers a bleak outlook on the future. The only hint of hope comes from the title itself, which refers to an ancient Greek practice of creating beehives from deceased cows – essentially, turning death into new life. The Roman poet Ovid described this process around two thousand years ago, noting that bees famously emerge from decaying flesh. Just like the characters in the film, Ovid presents this information with a strange mix of confidence and eccentricity.

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2025-10-23 22:31