Bugonia: An unmissable exploration of conspiracy theorists and their most dangerous followers
By Fionn Murray
Bugonia is a difficult film to review.
This has nothing to do with its quality. Yorgos Lanthimos’ latest directorial effort is remarkable and should be seen by anyone and everyone.
The problem is simply that Bugonia is packed full of the brilliantly unexpected, so it’s a tricky one to analyse without compromising what makes it special.
Bugonia is an English-language adaptation of the 2003 South Korean sci-fi black comedy film Save the Green Planet! The plot revolves around a duo of conspiracy theorists kidnapping the prominent CEO of a pharmaceutical company because they believe she is not who she says is.
This CEO is played by Emma Stone, starring in her fourth-straight Lanthimos feature film, after The Favourite, Poor Things (for which she won an Academy Award), and Kinds of Kindness. Jesse Plemons and Aidan Delbis portray the two conspiracy theorists, and Stavros Halkias and Alicia Silverstone also star.
These five are the only roles of significance in a movie that chooses against an ensemble cast in order to focus on the characterisations of those most important to the story. This trade-off pays dividends many times over, with every character written and portrayed with depth and subtlety.
Stone and Plemons are especially captivating throughout the film, developing a fascinating dynamic across its two-hour runtime. Oscar nods for both would not be unexpected.
Lanthimos did not pen Bugonia’s screenplay himself, instead joining the process after writer Will Tracy had adapted the original film into English, but his directorial style still shines through unmistakably in his elegant shot compositions and bold editing choices.
The cinematography, score and sound mixing are also impeccable, creating an unsettling and intriguing atmosphere. Expect awards in these departments too.
The film’s title doesn’t come from the similar-sounding plant, begonia, or the associated girl’s name, but instead from an ancient Mediterranean belief that bees were formed in the carcasses of cows. This may sound absurd (somewhat expected for Lanthimos), but believe it or not, it’s a title that does make some sense after viewing.
Bugonia is a film of the highest standard. We here at Galway Pulse strongly recommend going. Avoiding spoilers is of the utmost importance though. Stay away from internet film discourse, and see it as soon as possible.
Bugonia is in cinemas now.
Don’t walk, run.
★★★★★
This article was a collaboration with IMC Cinema Galway
