The film ‘Bugonia’ opens with a voiceover detailing the critical role bees play in our ecosystem and the devastating potential of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). This immediately brings to mind Sherlock Holmes’s intriguing theories on CCD from the series ‘Elementary’.
We are introduced to Teddy (Jesse Plemons) and his neurodivergent cousin, Don (Aidan Delbis), as they diligently tend to their honey bees. Their next major undertaking? Kidnapping Michelle Fuller (Emma Stone), the powerful CEO of a pharmaceutical giant.
The motive for this audacious plan becomes clear: Teddy’s mother, Sandy (Alicia Silverstone), was left in a coma after participating in a drug trial for Michelle’s company. Although Michelle’s company now funds Sandy’s care, Teddy is consumed by a bizarre conviction that Michelle is an alien from Andromeda. He believes by kidnapping her, he can force her to take him to her emperor, where he will demand reparations for humanity’s suffering.
Michelle’s introduction starkly contrasts with Teddy and Don’s world. We see her preparing for a typical workday – a regimen of exercise, healthy meals, and a handful of pills. She then speeds off to her office in a sleek muscle car, exuding power in her sharp suit and distinctive Louboutins, their red soles flashing confidently down the corridors.
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The visual disparity between the immaculately presented Michelle and the scruffy, unkempt Teddy and Don, furiously pedaling their way through leafy lanes, couldn’t be more pronounced. Despite the chaotic start, the kidnapping itself is successful.
Michelle is taken to the isolated basement of Teddy and Don’s home. There, they bizarrely shave her head and cover her in antihistamine cream, believing it will suppress her alleged alien powers. However, this is a Yorgos Lanthimos film, so what might seem like a clichéd scenario of a woman held captive by two unstable men unfolds in a uniquely unconventional manner, far removed from typical cinematic portrayals.
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Film Details: Bugonia (English)
- Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
- Cast: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Aidan Delbis, Stavros Halkias, Alicia Silverstone
- Runtime: 118 minutes
- Storyline: A conspiracy theorist kidnaps the CEO of a biotech company to rid the world of all its troubles, only to have the somewhat well-laid plot unravel.
While the audience might anticipate a typical twist or a gory finale, the film delivers an operatic conclusion that is both stunningly beautiful and deeply disturbing. ‘Bugonia’ functions brilliantly as a black comedy, expertly building tension through unexpected moments. A particularly nerve-wracking and darkly humorous scene involves police officer Casey (Stavros Halkias) arriving at the house at a critical juncture, attempting to reconcile with Teddy, whom he had abused as a child while babysitting.
Robbie Ryan’s cinematography is truly exceptional, utilizing VistaVision to infuse the scenes with a striking balance of warmth and profound shadows. Emma Stone, who committed to shaving her head for the role, and Jesse Plemons deliver performances at the peak of their careers, grounding every absurd flight of fancy in a poignant, deeply sad reality.
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The title ‘Bugonia’ itself is derived from the ancient Greek word “bougonia,” referencing the old belief that bees spontaneously generated from animal carcasses, particularly oxen. The film is a remake of Jang Joon-hwan’s acclaimed South Korean film, ‘Save the Green Planet!’.
Although the narrative explores familiar themes—like isolated individuals radicalized by internet theories and ruthless, profit-driven technocrats—the film’s distinctive presentation demands multiple viewings to fully grasp the subtle ways it expertly manipulates our perception of reality.
‘Bugonia’ is currently captivating audiences in theaters.