Emma Stone’s upcoming film Bugonia introduces a fresh take on the sci-fi genre, blending dark comedy with an unusual narrative about extraterrestrials. This unconventional alien movie, set for release in 2025, revolves around two conspiracy theorists who kidnap a pharmaceutical CEO, convinced she is an alien threatening humanity’s survival.
A Dark Comedy Twist in Bugonia
Bugonia stands out among recent alien films for its distinctive approach, portraying conspiracy theorists who act on ungrounded beliefs. Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, who has collaborated with Emma Stone before, including on her Oscar-winning role in Poor Things, this movie demystifies the alien identity of Michelle, the CEO. The real tension lies not in her extraterrestrial nature but in the consequences of her plans and the unforeseen role the kidnappers play in jeopardizing human existence.
Subverting the Zombie Genre in The Dead Don’t Die
Jim Jarmusch’s 2019 film The Dead Don’t Die defies traditional zombie tropes by combining dark humor, meta-commentary, and unexpected genre shifts. In a small town, police officers played by Adam Driver and Bill Murray confront a zombie outbreak that Jarmusch approaches with unusual surrealism. Driver’s character humorously acknowledges the narrative’s self-awareness by admitting he “read the script,” while Tilda Swinton adds mysterious, peculiar elements to the story.
The film transforms typical zombie horror into a multi-layered experience blending comedy, narrative self-reference, and an alien twist unrelated to the main plot, creating an unmatched cinematic tone.
Animated Allegories in Fantastic Planet
Released in 1973, Fantastic Planet offers a unique vision by setting the story on an alien world populated by humanoid creatures who dominate humans, who in this case are the literal aliens or outsiders. The humans are mostly exterminated or kept as pets, mirroring themes of oppression and social injustice. The film’s deep exploration of civil rights, animal welfare, and racism elevates it beyond standard sci-fi fare, employing strong allegory to comment on immigration and integration issues.
Noir Sci-Fi Mystery in Dark City
Director Alex Proyas’s 1998 film Dark City blends film noir aesthetics with science fiction as protagonist John Murdoch, portrayed by Rufus Sewell, navigates an enigmatic city pursued by a sinister alien group called the Strangers. Featuring notable actors William Hurt, Kiefer Sutherland, and Jennifer Connelly, the story reveals these aliens manipulating reality, echoing the feel of a suspenseful Twilight Zone episode but set in a dystopian future reminiscent of Logan’s Run.
The Strangers—menacing figures like Mr. Hand, Mr. Book, and Mr. Wall—create a haunting atmosphere as Murdoch uncovers truths that challenge the boundaries between human and alien.
Social Commentary in District 9
Neill Blomkamp’s 2009 District 9 reverses traditional alien invasion narratives by portraying aliens as refugees seeking sanctuary. Set in South Africa, the film parallels historic apartheid segregation and contemporary struggles with immigration and xenophobia. It presents a complex portrait where both aliens and humans exhibit violent and morally ambiguous behavior, challenging audiences to reconsider who the real antagonists are.
Acclaimed critically and honored with four Oscar nominations, District 9 remains relevant, highlighting human bigotry amid extraterrestrial displacement.
Innocence and Authority Clash in E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
Steven Spielberg’s 1982 classic E.T. revolutionized perceptions of alien films by depicting a peaceful extraterrestrial stranded on Earth. Unlike hostile alien invasion movies like John Carpenter’s The Thing, E.T. is about connection, exploration, and the struggle to protect the innocent from government intervention. The alien visitor is portrayed as a gentle scientist who forms a bond with children, emphasizing empathy over fear.
This film’s massive success helped establish the viability of unconventional sci-fi alien movies, focusing on kindness and mutual understanding rather than external danger.
Language and Understanding in Arrival
The 2016 film Arrival, directed by Denis Villeneuve, offers a cerebral exploration of communication with extraterrestrials. Amy Adams plays Louise Banks, a linguist who endeavors to decode alien language, uncovering profound insights. Arrival’s narrative prioritizes linguistic discovery and human sacrifice over action, echoing themes from Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
By centering on dialogue and empathy, Arrival breaks from typical alien invasion scenarios and earned critical acclaim, including a Best Picture Oscar nomination.
Hidden Invaders in They Live
John Carpenter’s 1988 cult film They Live challenges conventional plotlines by presenting aliens who have already seized control of society. Roddy Piper stars as Nada, a drifter who finds glasses revealing disguised aliens embedded in government and media sectors. These aliens use subliminal messaging to manipulate humans, reflecting Carpenter’s scathing critique of propaganda and authority.
This film’s premise—that human civilization is under covert alien dominance—offers a bleak perspective on control and conformity, making it a strikingly unconventional alien story.
Exploring Humanity Through an Alien Perspective in Under the Skin
Jonathan Glazer’s 2013 film Under the Skin features Scarlett Johansson as a female alien who studies human behavior unlike any traditional creature encounter. This contemplative and at times unsettling film explores themes of otherness and survival as the alien interacts with men, exerting control while also revealing vulnerability through encounters such as the fate of an isolated child.
The movie’s slow pace and haunting visuals invite reflection on alienation, prompting viewers to consider what it means to be different in a hostile world.
Camp and Cult Following in Killer Klowns From Outer Space
Stephen Chiodo’s 1988 Killer Klowns From Outer Space is an outlier in unconventional alien cinema, embracing bizarre humor rather than allegory. Its plot centers on an alien race resembling monstrous clowns who attack a small town to capture and consume humans. Made with practical effects and makeup artistry, the film is designed as a campy cult favorite that continues to entertain audiences seeking quirky, offbeat sci-fi horror.
Unlike more serious or philosophical works, Killer Klowns embraces absurdity, carving its niche in alien movie history through sheer eccentricity.
Emma Stone’s Bugonia arrives as a strong addition to this lineup of unconventional alien films, carrying forward a tradition of storytelling that challenges standard alien invasion narratives by mixing comedy, conspiracy, and moral ambiguity. Its exploration of human behavior in extreme circumstances, combined with Stone’s and Lanthimos’s creative partnership, promises to provoke thought and redefine expectations for alien cinema.
