Ari Aster Bugonia film production has captured attention with its recent teaser, uniting director Yorgos Lanthimos and producer Ari Aster for a new take on unusual, dark-tinged cinema. The project delivers a distinct vision, with production beginning in Hollywood and boasting a cast that includes Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Aidan Delbis, Stavros Halkias, and Alicia Silverstone.
Plot Follows Twisted Kidnapping and Alien Conspiracy
Based on the acclaimed Korean film Save The Green Planet by Jang Joon-hwan, Bugonia is penned by Will Tracy, known for his work on The Menu. The story centers on two conspiracy-obsessed young men, played by Jesse Plemons and Aidan Delbis, who—convinced the CEO of a major corporation is an alien bent on Earth’s destruction—resort to kidnapping her.
Emma Stone stars as the high-powered CEO, frequently highlighted in prestigious publications like Forbes and Time, exuding a confident, modern presence. Despite her elevated status, the narrative sees her snatched from her lavish home and confined to a bizarre, homemade lair lined with tinfoil. Notable appearances by Stavros Halkias and Alicia Silverstone, who also featured in Lanthimos’ The Killing of a Sacred Deer, round out the film’s ensemble.
Origins and Inspirations Behind the Film
Bugonia’s journey from page to screen began with producer Jerry Kyoungboum Ko, whose company CJ Entertainment produced the original Korean film. The production team recognized that Jang Joon-hwan’s Save The Green Planet had ideas that were ahead of their time. Initially, they considered adapting it as an independent film, but soon discovered a strong following within the Hollywood community.
“but as we traveled around Hollywood, we realized that there were many hidden fans of the original film,”
—Jerry Kyoungboum Ko, Producer
The search for collaborators led Ko to Ari Aster, after seeing him host a screening of the original film in Los Angeles. Ko shared,
“I happened to be in L.A. and saw Ari Aster moderating a screening of Save the Green Planet at a theater, so I reached out to him and asked him to be a part of the production. So he came on board as a producer. Then Will Tracy, a screenwriter of Succession, came on board and wrote the story. The buzz started to build from then on.”
—Jerry Kyoungboum Ko, Producer
Building Hype for a Visionary Release
Ko further explained the creative goals for Bugonia:
“We started the project with the intention of reviving director Jang’s sense of imagination, which was ahead of its time and was not fully appreciated 20 years ago. The film developed into a bigger movie than we initially thought. By getting people on our side who understood the film’s potential, we were able to create buzz.”
—Jerry Kyoungboum Ko, Producer
The unique blend of Ari Aster’s and Yorgos Lanthimos’ sensibilities has fostered high expectations, particularly with Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons leading. With support from CJ Entertainment and a screenplay by Will Tracy of Succession fame, the film promises a combination of tense, comedic, and bizarre elements, aimed at both indie enthusiasts and broader audiences.
Anticipation Builds Ahead of Release
As excitement continues to mount among genre fans and film critics alike, Bugonia will debut with a limited theatrical engagement on October 24, before its wider U.S. release a week later on October 31. The collaboration of Aster and Lanthimos, coupled with a cast of notable talent, ensures Bugonia is set to make a significant mark on the landscape of contemporary cinema.
