Bugonia Isn’t About Aliens. It’s About Us. (spoiler free review)

Admittedly, Yorgos Lanthimos and his ideas are hit and miss for me. I love many of his films, others don’t quite resonate with me. However, Bugonia might be my favorite of his so far. Here’s why.

I think Bugonia is one of the most accessible films Lanthimos has made yet, which is frankly saying a lot. Known for his bold, obscure, and controversial visions, Bugonia captures the essence of who Lanthimos is as a director and his style, while presenting a story that is easy to follow, with entertaining and horrifying twists and turns that veterans and new fans of the director will both appreciate.

The film follows two conspiracy-obsessed cousins who kidnap a high-powered CEO they believe is an alien

Bugonia also touches on tough and very relatable subjects like terminal illness, health experiments, health insurance, capitalism, class, social structure, grief, wealth distribution, human behavior, and more. Lanthimos weaves all these elements wonderfully in a short amount of time, complimented by outstanding performances in this small but mighty cast. You want to despise Michelle yet does she deserve to be kidnapped? Your heart aches for Teddy even though he is a very troubled man, who is trying to rationalize his grief with the world and his mother in a way where something larger than what we know on earth must be responsible instead of the depravity of mankind. It’s pretty bleak. And it’s VERY powerful.

Additionally, the score of this film is absolutely spine chilling and was such a treat to hear in theaters. It hearkens back to the eras of music in film that used full orchestra, grandiose, larger than life composition. The music at times may feel over the top but that is intentional: it pairs with how Teddy is feeling and the way he experiences the world: the euphoria of thinking he’s figured it all out and can save humanity (and his mother) while lost in his headphones on his bike, the chaos of trying to pull off a kidnapping, the emotional crumbling of watching his world and all he believes shift in front of his eyes, etc. Without spoiling anything, I will also say the use of Good Luck Babe! by Chappell Roan in this movie and it’s respsective trailers is extremely intentional and so well played.

Aliens are a metaphor…

It's hard to say if the Academy will recognize this film this year. While Poor Things did very well, securing Emma Stone an Oscar a few years ago, this is far more dark, bold, weird, and twisted than the Academy is typically interested in. However the performances in this ENTIRE ensemble are nothing short of brilliant. Jesse Plemons elevates everything he stars in, Stone gives a very cold, bold, and nuanced performance as the “evil” CEO/possible alien, and Aidan Delbis (who is autistic in the film and also in real life) will totally break your heart in his triumphant big screen debut. I deeply hope these performances will be recognized in future ceremonies and nominations to come, but my optimism remains low. 

This story is about aliens. But they also represent the idea that powerful elites are so disconnected from ordinary people that they might as well be a different species, a direct critique on wealth disparity, and capitalism. And while I won’t spoil the ending, there are ultimately consequences to unchecked power, misuse of resources, and the human race failing to take care of earth as a a whole. The film is a gruesome and brutal look at corporate and political greed that destroys people and the planet, and how the consequences of our modern world can cost us what we love and cherish most. Who are the victims and perpetrators of the world? How long can we live in this type of system before it crumbles and destroys us all? Are paranoia and anxiety normal human reactions, or heightened sensations of the world and structure we are forced to confront?

Yorgos Lanthimos nails it once again, combining humor, insanity, a good amount of gore, and a glorious soundtrack to make his mark in the classic “alien” style film. with outstanding performances by a small ensemble, stunning cinematography, and an unforgettable ending you won’t see coming, Bugonia is a new Lanthimos favorite for me. I hope it will introduce new audiences to his brilliance.