Emma Stone returns in Bugonia, her third collaboration with director Yorgos Lanthimos, set for release on October 31. The film, featuring Stone and Jesse Plemons, follows two young men obsessed with conspiracies who abduct a company CEO, convinced she is an alien plotting Earth‘s destruction.
A New Thriller Unfolds with Lanthimos and Stone
Bugonia stars Emma Stone as Michelle and Jesse Plemons as Teddy, with support from Aidan Delbis, Roger Carvalho, Stavros Halkias, and Alicia Silverstone. Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and scripted by Will Tracey, the story centers on the kidnapping orchestrated by two conspiracy-driven men, under the suspicion that their captive CEO intends to annihilate humanity. Ari Aster joins the project as a producer, adding notable creative depth to the film.
Prior Lanthimos Collaborations Build Expectations
Lanthimos recently directed Kinds of Kindness, a 2024 dark comedy starring Stone, Plemons, Willem Dafoe, and Margaret Qualley. Critics rated it favorably with a 71% score on Rotten Tomatoes, though audience reactions on Popcornmeter registered a less enthusiastic 50%. This film is available on Hulu. Stone and Lanthimos also collaborated on Poor Things (2023), which earned four Oscars at the 2024 Academy Awards, including Emma Stone’s win for Best Lead Actress. These previous successes have set high hopes for Bugonia’s reception.
Emma Stone’s Award-Winning Career and Versatile Roles
Emma Stone achieved her first Oscar for La La Land, starring opposite Ryan Gosling, and has since been nominated for performances in Birdman and The Favourite. Stone is widely recognized for her role as Gwen Stacy in The Amazing Spider-Man series, which will be available on Netflix next month, expanding her visibility to streaming audiences. Jesse Plemons, known for his portrayal of Todd in Breaking Bad, continues to gain recognition through shows like Zero Day and Love & Death.
Yorgos Lanthimos’ Noteworthy Filmography Highlights
Nearly a decade ago, Lanthimos directed The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017), starring Nicole Kidman and Colin Farrell, alongside Barry Keoghan. This psychological thriller, about a surgeon forced into a tragic decision, holds a 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is available via Cinemax as an add-on to Prime Video. Lanthimos is also celebrated for films like The Lobster and Nimic, which underline his distinctive directorial style.
Cast of Characters Brings Depth to the Story
The main cast of Bugonia features Emma Stone as Michelle, alongside Jesse Plemons as Teddy, with Aidan Delbis portraying Don and Roger Carvalho as a young detective. Their roles drive the intense narrative around the conspiracy-led kidnapping that anchors the plot.
Anticipation Builds Ahead of Bugonia’s Release
With a compelling premise, an accomplished director, and a strong ensemble including Lanthimos regulars and new faces, Bugonia is positioned to capture audience interest this Halloween. Given Stone’s recent award-winning work and Lanthimos’ reputation for thought-provoking films, this thriller is highly anticipated in the cinematic community. Viewers and critics alike will be watching closely to see how this intriguing story about conspiracy and identity unfolds.
