Yorgos Lanthimos's 'Bugonia' is a masterclass in paranoia, delving into the darkest corners of human psychology and societal fragmentation. Set against the backdrop of our increasingly uncertain world, this film is a scathing critique of contemporary society's willingness to accept the absurd as reality.
Lanthimos's latest offering follows Teddy Gatz, a conspiracy-obsessed warehouse worker played by Jesse Plemons, who kidnaps Michelle Fuller (Emma Stone), CEO of a pharmaceutical company that he believes to be in league with an alien species. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Lanthimos is more interested in probing the fringes of our collective sanity than offering straightforward entertainment.
One of the standout aspects of 'Bugonia' is its expertly calibrated balance between humor and horror. The film's darkly comedic tone is reminiscent of Lanthimos's earlier works, such as 'The Lobster,' but with a newfound prescience that makes it feel disturbingly contemporary.
Lanthimos's script, written by Will Tracy, allows for some welcome absurdity, shifting the audience's allegiances between Teddy and his scheme to "save the world," and Michelle, who is both victim and antagonist. This constant oscillation keeps viewers on their toes, unsure whether they should root for the paranoid conspiracy theorist or laugh at the absurdity of it all.
Plemons and Stone deliver performances that are both sympathetic and infuriating. Their characters' flaws are expertly calibrated to elicit a strong reaction from the audience, making it impossible not to question one's own place in the world. Teddy's desperation is palpable, while Michelle's clinical detachment is unnerving.
Throughout its runtime, 'Bugonia' keeps viewers on edge, never quite sure whether we're watching a work of satire or an unsettling exploration of human psychology. This razor-thin line between humor and horror is what makes Lanthimos's masterpiece so effective.
Shot on stunning 35mm film, the cinematography by Robbie Ryan adds to the film's elegantly composed aesthetic. The grainy texture gives every frame a tactile immediacy that draws viewers into Teddy's warped world.
'Bugonia' may not be an easy watch for everyone, but for those willing to venture down this rabbit hole, Lanthimos delivers a movie that will leave you questioning your place in the universe and whether your co-worker might just be a lizard person. And if that's not what Yorgos Lanthimos movies are supposed to do, I'm not sure what is.
Grade: B+
Lanthimos's latest offering follows Teddy Gatz, a conspiracy-obsessed warehouse worker played by Jesse Plemons, who kidnaps Michelle Fuller (Emma Stone), CEO of a pharmaceutical company that he believes to be in league with an alien species. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Lanthimos is more interested in probing the fringes of our collective sanity than offering straightforward entertainment.
One of the standout aspects of 'Bugonia' is its expertly calibrated balance between humor and horror. The film's darkly comedic tone is reminiscent of Lanthimos's earlier works, such as 'The Lobster,' but with a newfound prescience that makes it feel disturbingly contemporary.
Lanthimos's script, written by Will Tracy, allows for some welcome absurdity, shifting the audience's allegiances between Teddy and his scheme to "save the world," and Michelle, who is both victim and antagonist. This constant oscillation keeps viewers on their toes, unsure whether they should root for the paranoid conspiracy theorist or laugh at the absurdity of it all.
Plemons and Stone deliver performances that are both sympathetic and infuriating. Their characters' flaws are expertly calibrated to elicit a strong reaction from the audience, making it impossible not to question one's own place in the world. Teddy's desperation is palpable, while Michelle's clinical detachment is unnerving.
Throughout its runtime, 'Bugonia' keeps viewers on edge, never quite sure whether we're watching a work of satire or an unsettling exploration of human psychology. This razor-thin line between humor and horror is what makes Lanthimos's masterpiece so effective.
Shot on stunning 35mm film, the cinematography by Robbie Ryan adds to the film's elegantly composed aesthetic. The grainy texture gives every frame a tactile immediacy that draws viewers into Teddy's warped world.
'Bugonia' may not be an easy watch for everyone, but for those willing to venture down this rabbit hole, Lanthimos delivers a movie that will leave you questioning your place in the universe and whether your co-worker might just be a lizard person. And if that's not what Yorgos Lanthimos movies are supposed to do, I'm not sure what is.
Grade: B+
it's like yorgos lanthimos took every conspiracy theory from the internet threw 'em in a blender and hit puree... and then served up some dark comedy with a side of existential dread. don't get me wrong, jesse plemons and emma stone are great, but teddy's character is basically just a caricature of every paranoid person you've ever met 
i mean, come on, that's not even a subtle commentary on societal fragmentation... it's just lazy. lanthimos has always been better than this 
but seriously tho i think its kinda clever how lanthimos balances humor & horror but at the same time its also super uncomfortable to watch especially when u realize ur supposed 2 feel bad for teddy's character lol and can we talk about emma stone's performance tho? she's literally perfection 
the way yorgos lanthimos does satire is so underrated i mean we need more people calling out our societal norms and pushing us to think about how absurd things can get. 
. The cinematography is 
on 35mm film, gives the whole thing this gritty feel 
. But seriously, Lanthimos is a genius at creating this absurd sense of unease that'll keep you guessing till the end 
. Can't say I've seen anything like it before... but now that I think about it, what if they're watching us right now? 
. It's like he's staring right into our collective psyche and just... yeah 
.
. You can't help but feel for him, but also kinda want to roll your eyes and think "seriously dude?" 
. Just don't say I didn't warn you...
totally underrated! The 35mm film gives the whole thing a gritty feel that adds to the overall unease. I'm still thinking about the ending... and whether or not I should start looking over my shoulder 
.
. The cinematography tho is stunning, those 35mm shots are 
. It's like they're so invested in their characters' absurdity that it just draws you in