Bugonia, Yorgos Lanthimos’ darkly satirical new film starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, premiered at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 28, 2025, where it earned a nearly seven-minute standing ovation. The surreal black comedy immediately split critics, making it one of the most polarizing but talked-about titles of the festival.
What is Bugonia about?
A bold remake of the 2003 South Korean cult sci-fi comedy Save the Green Planet!, Bugonia follows two techno-suspicious podcasters who abduct a powerful CEO, played by Stone, convinced she’s an alien plotting Earth’s destruction. Jesse Plemons plays Teddy, a beekeeper driven by paranoia, while Aidan Delbis co-stars as his unhinged partner. Lanthimos leans into dark humor, absurdity, and existential dread, turning conspiracy theories into a stage for social satire.
Who’s in the cast?
Emma Stone leads as Michelle Fuller, the executive at the center of the abduction. Plemons delivers an unsettling counterpoint as Teddy, with Alicia Silverstone playing his protective mother Sandy and Delbis as a jittery accomplice. Stavros Halkias appears as a small-town cop caught in their schemes. Stone and Lanthimos have become a formidable pairing: she won acclaim in The Favourite (2018) and her Oscar for Poor Things (2023), both Lanthimos collaborations. Bugonia continues their creative partnership, with Stone once again undergoing a striking transformation to embody a character that blurs humanity and otherness.
Early Reviews: Love It or Hate It
The Venice response was enthusiastic but fractured. Variety and The Hollywood Reporter praised its audacity and performances, particularly Plemons’ unnerving turn, but flagged pacing issues. Some reviewers noted that while the satire landed hard, tonal shifts undercut the narrative. Others described it as too clever for its own good, though most agreed Stone and Plemons’ performances elevate the material.
Trailer & Release Strategy
Focus Features released the official trailer earlier this summer, teasing Stone’s transformation and unnerving unraveling. The release plan is timed for maximum impact: a limited theatrical rollout on October 24, 2025, followed by a wide release on October 31. The Halloween slot gives Bugonia a dark counterprogramming edge while placing it firmly within awards season chatter.
Why Venice Matters
Venice has become a launchpad for Oscar contenders, with past premieres like Poor Things, Joker, and Nomadland finding paths from festival buzz to Academy wins. While Bugonia faces mixed reviews, its festival debut ensures it will stay in the awards conversation, particularly with Stone already a proven awards magnet.
Conspiracy Culture in 2025
Bugonia also lands in a moment where conspiracy theories aren’t just fringe—they’ve become mainstream talking points in politics and media. By adapting a cult Korean satire for a Western audience, Lanthimos taps into contemporary anxieties about truth, misinformation, and paranoia. This resonance may be what keeps the film in public conversation long after its release.
Watch the Trailer
The official trailer for Bugonia is available from Focus Features. Watch it below for a first look at Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons in Yorgos Lanthimos’ surreal new comedy.
Flix FAQs
Q: What is Bugonia about?
A: A remake of Save the Green Planet!, where conspiracy theorists kidnap a CEO they believe is an alien.
Q: How was it received at Venice?
A: The premiere earned a nearly seven-minute ovation and early reviews split between praise and criticism.
Q: Who stars in Bugonia?
A: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Aidan Delbis, Alicia Silverstone, and Stavros Halkias.
Q: When does Bugonia release?
A: Limited U.S. release October 24, 2025, expanding wide October 31, 2025.
The Bigger Picture
Bugonia may not be universally loved, but it succeeds in sparking debate—precisely what Lanthimos thrives on. With Stone’s latest bold performance, a Venice ovation, and Focus Features positioning it for Halloween season release, the film is set to be one of 2025’s most talked-about titles.olarizing but essential films.
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