Yorgos Lanthimos directs Bugonia (2025), a darkly comic sci-fi thriller starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons. Premiered at Venice Film Festival, distributed by Focus Features. Published by World Biz Magazine, listed on World Biz Journals, News Force, Source Force News Section
World Biz Magazine - Film News
Acclaimed filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos returns with Bugonia (2025), a genre-bending blend of comedy, thriller, crime, and science fiction. The film, adapted from Jang Joon-hwan’s cult Korean classic Save the Green Planet!, premiered at the Venice Film Festival on August 28, 2025, before its wide U.S. release on October 24, 2025.
Director Yorgos Lanthimos: Known for Poor Things and The Favourite, Lanthimos brings his signature surrealist style to a story of paranoia and conspiracy.
Writers Will Tracy & Jang Joon-hwan: Tracy, recognized for The Menu, collaborates with Jang, the original creator of Save the Green Planet!, ensuring authenticity in adaptation.
Production Companies: Element Pictures, Square Peg, CJ ENM, Pith, and Fruit Tree Enterprises.
Distribution: Focus Features (worldwide) and CJ ENM (South Korea).
Emma Stone: Reunites with Lanthimos after Poor Things, portraying the enigmatic CEO.
Jesse Plemons: Plays one of the conspiracy-obsessed kidnappers.
Aidan Delbis: Rising talent in a pivotal role.
Supporting cast includes Alicia Silverstone, Stavros Halkias, and Robbie Ryan’s cinematography adds visual flair.
Two conspiracy-obsessed young men kidnap a powerful CEO, convinced she is an alien bent on Earth’s destruction. What follows is a tense, darkly comic exploration of paranoia, power, and human fragility.
Budget: Estimated between $45–55 million.
Running Time: 118–119 minutes.
Box Office: Early reports indicate $35 million worldwide gross.
Festival Reception: Premiered at Venice, generating strong buzz for its audacious mix of satire and sci-fi.
Industry Positioning: Lanthimos continues to push boundaries, with Bugonia positioned as one of 2025’s most ambitious international co-productions.
Early reviews praise Lanthimos’ ability to balance absurdist humor with unsettling tension. Emma Stone’s performance is highlighted as both commanding and enigmatic, while Jesse Plemons delivers a nuanced portrayal of paranoia. Critics note the film’s thematic resonance in an era of conspiracy theories and corporate distrust.
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