Bugonia, 2025 - ★★★★½
This is one of the funniest and wittiest films I've seen recently.
Who would have thought that a story about a beekeeper kidnapping a successful CEO because he believes she's an alien would make me question reality so intensely my brain might short-circuit? Yet that's Bugonia—with a fantastic, sharp, witty, unhinged, and absolutely hilarious screenplay.
I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed this movie, especially since I haven't liked any of Lanthimos's films besides The Favourite. It seems he has finally struck the perfect balance of absurdity—rooted fully in the story rather than absurdity for its own sake. The pacing and comedic timing here are wonderful, a clear improvement compared to what I've seen in his previous works. The film creates a claustrophobic vibe, like a ticking bomb ready to explode or be casually laughed off. The production, cinematography, and musical score amplify this tension and atmosphere blending bleakness and absurd humor in such a masterful way.
I really appreciate how the film blends dark comedy and absurd satire with an insightful character study. Layered with social commentary and critique, the story becomes both entertaining and thought-provoking at the same time. The original screenplay from Save the Green Planet! laid its foundation, but from what I've gathered, this remake shifts the story's dynamics to heighten absurdity and satire through character interactions. This sharp, witty, and absurd adaptation seems to be the perfect fit for Lanthimos's style
The film deeply explores humanity's darker traits—self-destruction, greed, classism, and social neglect—as drivers of societal collapse in a bleak yet absurd way. The story blurs moral lines between victims and perpetrators, and between reality and paranoia through ambiguous conspiracy narratives. This makes both the characters and us the audience mistrust ourselves and each other, with all the misinformation and absurdity of realities. You can't help but question what's the truth and what isn't throughout the whole film.
Who can be absolutely sure about the right balance between self-doubt and self-belief—for oneself and others? When is it appropriate to let others change your mind and let go of certain beliefs, and when should you stand firm regardless? How much are you willing to bend your truth, and how much are you willing to challenge or break others'?
I absolutely love how this story keeps us second-guessing ourselves throughout the entire movie and even after the credits roll. I enjoy films that challenge not only your analytical thinking but also your psychological and philosophical perspectives like this one. I suspect a second viewing would deepen the experience even more.
None of this would be possible without the superb performances from the entire cast. Each character's dynamics are compelling, full of nuance and depth, conveyed through dialogue, body language, and even the smallest micro-expressions. Every detail reveals their psyche, emotions, and thoughts. The power struggles, vulnerability, and self-doubt are all laid bare for us to witness.
I truly hope Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons get Best Actress and Best Actor nominations. (I realized now that Jesse Plemons got snubbed so hard!) They were phenomenal! Hands down, one of the most memorable standoff scenes I've ever seen, they challenge each other's ideologies, perceptions of reality, morality, and even sanity through intense mind games right up to the very end. It's simultaneously nerve-wracking, intense, and downright hilarious how fully they commit. Absolutely marvelous!
That said, I'm sure that this movie won't be everyone's cup of tea because of its weirdness, violence, and dialogue-heavy style. You'll likely feel an unsettling ambiguity throughout and face mind-boggling final scenes that might leave you scratching your head in disbelief (which in my opinion fits the theme perfectly). So, I don't blame anyone for disagreeing about how brilliant this film is.
For me, this is one of the most memorable films watched this past few years. Until now, The Favourite was the only Lanthimos film I loved, but I'm happy to add Bugonia to my favorites.