Bugonia is a dark sci-fi comedy directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and written by Will Tracy. Focus Features released it after it was shown at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival.
Teddy Gatz (Jesse Plemons) and his mentally troubled cousin, Don (Aidan Delbis), are beekeepers who engage in conspiracy theories. Teddy influences Don into kidnapping Michelle Fuller (Emma Stone), a pharmaceutical CEO, whom he believes is an alien. As she tries to stay alive with the two, she deduces that Teddy is the son of Sandy Gatz (Alicia Stone), a woman who had a reaction to a medication her company developed. As tensions rise, a pesky deputy (Stavros Halkias) is looking for the kidnapped executive.
Okay, I have no complaints about the cast. Wow, they did a fantastic job. Plemmons does an excellent job, helping build the tension as the unstable human who thinks an alien invasion is imminent. Likewise, Stone does a fantastic job. She acts as if she has been waiting for this role her whole life. I mean, wow, give her an Oscar.
Jerskin Fendrix nails the soundtrack. This is only his third film score, and he knocks it out of the park. Each scene is enhanced by his musical choice. Robbie Ryan also nails the cinematography. I love how he used wide shots for certain moments, while focused scenes highlighted the claustrophobia of various scenes.
Also, I found the film to be very engaging. It manages to avoid political entanglements and gives us a darkly humorous tale. You are pulled into this twisted plot of mind games, conspiracy theories, and tension. I mean, I had a good time watching it. It certainly keeps you guessing about what is going on before you are totally shocked by a dark secret that Teddy has.
Where it falls apart is the conclusion. I do not know what it is with Hollywood today, but they do not know what subtlety is. The ending ramps up a solid comedic thriller and turns it on its head. It makes you scratch your head, wondering what the point of all of the twists was. Had it not been derailed by the final moments, I think it would have mattered. Instead, it chose spectacle over being special. This is a common mistake in the entertainment industry these days.
Bottom line, Bugonia has a solid cast, a solid opening, and a solid middle. It does fall apart in the final minutes, undercutting the film. If you can get past this, you might enjoy it.
PARENTAL CONCERNS: Bloody violence, Strong foul language, Crude humor
FAVORITE QUOTE: A degree from a university? From a credentialist scam for laundering privilege? Amazing.
Check out the trailer below:
What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. Tell me if there is a comic book, movie, anime, or novel you would like me to review.