Bugonia: What to know about cast, crew, and release date
Emma Stone stars in Yorgos Lanthimos’ Bugonia. Credit: Focus Features
Bugonia, the highly anticipated sci-fi dark comedy directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Emma Stone, made its striking debut at the Venice Film Festival. This surreal reimagining of the 2003 South Korean cult classic takes the audience on a twisted journey of paranoia, power, and existential dread. Here’s all you need to know, from cast and creative team to festival reactions and release schedule.
What is Bugonia About?
A bold reimagining of the South Korean film Save the Green Planet!, Bugonia tells the story of Teddy (Jesse Plemons), a conspiracy-obsessed beekeeper who, along with his cousin Don (Aidan Delbis), kidnaps a pharmaceutical CEO (Emma Stone). Believing she is an alien plotting Earth’s destruction, the duo spirals into a world where paranoia and delusion collide with dark humor and violence. Emma Stone plays Michelle Fuller, the CEO whose unsettling captivity becomes the centerpiece of the narrative.
A Stellar Cast and Creative Crew
- Emma Stone as Michelle Fuller, a powerful executive with a secret.
- Jesse Plemons as Teddy, a beekeeper consumed by conspiracies.
- Aidan Delbis as Don, Teddy’s cousin and accomplice.
- Alicia Silverstone as Sandy, Teddy’s ailing mother.
- Stavros Halkias as Officer Casey.
The pairing of Stone and Plemons, two Oscar-winning heavyweights, has already fueled buzz, with critics calling their on-screen dynamic “unsettling and electrifying.”
The film is directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, known for The Favourite, Poor Things, and The Lobster. The screenplay was written by Will Tracy, co-creator of The Menu. Behind the camera, longtime Lanthimos collaborator Robbie Ryan handles cinematography, while Yorgos Mavropsaridis edits and Jerskin Fendrix provides a haunting score.
Produced by Ed Guiney, Ari Aster, Emma Stone, and Yorgos Lanthimos, the film combines arthouse surrealism with blockbuster appeal.
READ ALSO
Anniversary movie: Cast, plot, and release date
‘Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight’ announced… release date, other details you should know
Venice Premiere and Early Reactions
Bugonia had its world premiere in competition at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 28, 2025, drawing strong and polarized reactions. Critics praised Emma Stone’s chilling performance, and her bold, one-take head-shaving scene portraying Michelle Fuller trapped by conspiracy-minded kidnappers. The unsettling visual style, driven by cinematographer Robbie Ryan and composer Jerskin Fendrix, amplifies the surreal, claustrophobic tone that left audiences shaken.
Themes and Style: Why Bugonia Stands Out
The film explores paranoia, economic inequality, and distrust in corporations, echoing timely global anxieties. Like Lanthimos’ past work, it mixes absurdist comedy with bleak violence, forcing viewers to question who is truly in control, the captors or the captive. Emma Stone herself has described the film as “a reflection of modern-day fears disguised as alien folklore.”
Release Schedule: From Festival to Global Theatrical Rollout
Following its Venice debut, Bugonia will hit theaters in a limited U.S. release on October 24, 2025, before expanding nationwide on October 31, 2025, perfectly timed for awards season.
International releases are also confirmed:
- Canada: October 24, 2025
- United Kingdom: October 31, 2025
- Mexico & Spain: November 2025
- Brazil, Singapore, and Thailand: Late 2025 into early 2026
This staggered rollout ensures Bugonia remains a global talking point well into next year.
Why Bugonia Matters
With a powerhouse creative team and a daring narrative, Bugonia continues the collaboration between Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos, following their critically acclaimed The Favourite and Poor Things. Its Venice debut has positioned it as one of the most talked-about films heading into awards season, ensuring its place in both critical and fan conversations.