Yorgos Lanthimos strikes once more with Bugonia, a wildly creative movie that masterfully fuses sci-fi paranoia, darkish comedy, and tense thriller parts right into a cohesive, edge-of-your-seat expertise. Paying homage to his signature fashion seen in The Favorite and Poor Issues, this remake of a Korean black comedy amps up the absurdity whereas grounding it in well timed commentary on conspiracy theories, misinformation, and societal polarization. From the outset, the premise—two conspiracy-obsessed males kidnapping a high-powered CEO they imagine is an alien bent on destroying Earth—hooks you with its mix of humor and unease, escalating right into a story that’s each laugh-out-loud humorous and genuinely stunning.
On the coronary heart of the movie are the powerhouse performances that elevate it to must-see standing. Emma Stone, in her fourth collaboration with Lanthimos, delivers a tour-de-force because the assured, manipulative CEO, effortlessly shifting from vulnerability to regulate with razor-sharp wit and charisma. She’s paired completely with Jesse Plemons, who embodies the naive but menacing kidnapper with a dedication that’s equal components threatening and heartbreaking—arguably one in every of his greatest roles but. Their dynamic energy play, mirroring real-world divides between progressive elites and reactionary outsiders, retains the stress effervescent like a stress cooker, making each trade really feel electrical and unpredictable.
Visually, Bugonia is a feast, shot on 35mm by cinematographer Robbie Ryan to create a surreal, tactile world the place shadows and textures amplify the paranoia. Jerskin Fendrix’s ominous rating provides to the ambiance, guaranteeing the movie feels alive with dread even in its most comedic moments. The manufacturing design and soundtrack additional improve the immersion, turning what may very well be an easy fable right into a daring, superbly crafted exploration of human nature’s darkest corners.
What really units Bugonia aside is its originality. It’s riveting and unhinged to its core, providing a contemporary tackle apocalyptic themes with out sacrificing leisure worth. Whereas not Lanthimos’ absolute pinnacle, it’s one in every of his boldest in years—entertainingly bleak, sharply well-played, and a mirrored image of our fractured instances. Should you’re a fan of genre-bending cinema that challenges and delights, that is an absolute winner.
Screening from October 30 at Luna Leederville and Luna on SX.
- E mail: neill@outloudculture.com
