Bugonia is Funny, Scary, and Full of Conspiracy
A film that effortlessly blends comedy, frights, and deep thoughts
Element Pictures
I was fortunate enough to catch an early screening of Bugonia at the Philadelphia Film Festival this year, and I had an absolute blast watching this movie. We were packed in the theater like sardines, and based on the countless laughs and applause, I’m sure that most of us weren’t disappointed.
What is this movie about? A pair of cousins kidnap a CEO woman and lock her in their basement because they are convinced that she is an alien. As the viewer, you have to decide who to believe. Are these men some crazy conspiracy theorists that have taken things way too far, or is this CEO really an alien set on controlling the people of planet Earth? I’ll let you know right now, it’s not easy to figure out.
Element Pictures
How Was the Movie?
Bugonia is so weird in the best way possible. It starts off from the perspective of two men Teddy and Don (Jesse Plemons and Aidan Delbis) who are discussing their conspiracy beliefs and plans to save planet Earth. As we hear their plans, you get glimpses of Michelle Fuller’s (Emma Stone) life as a CEO of a pharmaceutical company.
Teddy is convinced that Fuller is part of an alien species that has infiltrated planet Earth, and he believes that it is up to him and his cousin to demand that they leave the planet. It feels so random, yet intriguing. As the film progresses you learn more about Teddy’s personal life and what has led him to these beliefs. It’s still unclear if he is completely gone, or if he is actually on to something.
Michelle makes figuring this out extremely difficult. We see her as a woman who is clearly confused about how she ended up in this situation. The back and forth between all three main characters is hilarious at moments, and terrifying at others. The movie does such a good job at keeping your attention out of pure curiosity of who is telling the truth.
Element Pictures
Best Parts About the Movie?
The Psychological Mystery:
The mystery of who is telling the truth in the film is the core of the story. You don’t know who to trust, and you’ll start questioning yourself at times. You may even ask, “how would I react if I was in this situation?”
If someone kidnapped you and was convinced that you are an alien, would you play along, deny, try to reason with them, all of the above?
Or, if you were convinced that there were aliens on the planet, how would you go about approaching them? How would you make sure that they don’t outsmart you? How would you protect yourself and the planet?
The Actors :
All of the actors did a phenomenal job in Bugonia. Jesse Plemons’s character is so dead set in his beliefs that it is actually pretty scary at times.
Aidan Delbis is all of us watching the movie. He wants to believe that his cousin is the hero, but can’t help but to question everything and have empathy for Emma Stone’s character at times.
Emma Stone is Emma Stone. This woman can do no wrong in my book. She is a pure joy and genuinely comedic; and she still knows how to be dramatic when necessary. There’s one scene when she and Teddy are fighting and you see the fear in her eyes when she thinks he’s going to actually kill her. Damn that girl can act. Also, she really shaved her hair for this movie- pure dedication to the craft.
Element Pictures
Is This Movie for You?
If a strange movie full of psychological mystery and black comedy sounds intriguing to you, then Bugonia is right up your alley. If you are into conspiracy theories, especially those surrounding aliens, this is also for you. If you like Emma Stone, lock on in.
After watching the movie initially, I liked it. But after reflecting on it, I find myself loving more about it, and I’m sure this is one of the films that will continue to get better after rewatching.
