Yorgos Lanthimos’s new film Bugonia made its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on August 28, 2025. The highly anticipated feature, which stars Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, blends science fiction with the director’s trademark surrealist style. Stone plays an alien in this unconventional tale, marking another bold collaboration between her and Lanthimos after Poor Things and Kinds of Kindness (AP News).
The movie centers on two men who kidnap a mysterious woman—Stone’s alien character—believing her to be a threat. However, as is typical for Lanthimos, the story quickly turns unpredictable, mixing dark humor with unsettling commentary on humanity. Plemons delivers another transformative role, continuing his recent streak of acclaimed performances.
Emma Stone on Fame and Playing an Alien
Stone has spoken candidly about her role in Bugonia and her personal struggles with fame. In an interview, she admitted feeling that it might be “narcissistic” to think of herself as famous, highlighting her discomfort with celebrity status despite years in the spotlight.
She also reflected on her acting approach, saying that embodying an alien gave her the freedom to detach from her own persona. According to her, playing a non-human role allowed her to explore empathy and human behavior from a different perspective.
Lanthimos’s Vision and Festival Buzz
Lanthimos has once again challenged audiences with his eccentric style. Bugonia pushes boundaries in both story and tone, drawing early comparisons to his past work for its mix of absurdist humor and philosophical undertones. Critics at Venice described the film as unsettling but captivating, praising its originality and the chemistry between Stone and Plemons.
Though no wide release date has been confirmed, the movie’s strong festival debut is expected to fuel interest from distributors. As The Hollywood Reporter noted, Stone’s presence in the film cements her ongoing creative partnership with Lanthimos, making Bugonia one of the most anticipated indie releases on the horizon.
What’s Next for ‘Bugonia’
For now, audiences outside of Venice will need to wait. There’s no official release date or streaming platform announcement, but Lanthimos’s past projects found homes with Searchlight Pictures and major streamers. If history repeats, Bugonia may follow a similar path after its festival run.
Until then, fans can look forward to another daring entry in the Lanthimos-Stone partnership—this time with a sci-fi twist that puts Emma Stone at the center of an alien encounter unlike anything else in cinema today.
Bugonia proves once again that Lanthimos thrives on risk-taking storytelling, and Stone continues to shine as his most fearless collaborator.
Conclusion: With its Venice debut, Bugonia has set the stage for one of the most talked-about films of the year. Emma Stone’s alien performance, Jesse Plemons’s intensity, and Lanthimos’s vision ensure this movie will keep fans buzzing long after its official release.
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