Bugonia
2025 · Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos
Original language: English
- science fiction
- thriller
- comedy
The story
Two conspiracy obsessed young men kidnap the high-powered CEO of a major company, convinced that she is an alien intent on destroying planet Earth.
What it’s like
Cold, clinical light and wide, precisely symmetrical frames give this film a sterile, unnerving look, with much of it set in a cramped, dim house where grimy domestic corners sit against the glossy white minimalism of a corporate headquarters. Lanthimos favors static, deliberately composed shots and a fish-eye lens that bends the edges of rooms, so ordinary spaces feel slightly off-kilter. The sound design leans on hushed silences broken by abrupt noises and an unsettling, pulsing score that keeps tension humming under the surface. The vibe is deadpan and suffocating, a dark comedy of paranoia and cold absurdity, best suited to a late night alone when you want something that makes you laugh uneasily. Pacing is slow and punctuated, with awkward pauses that stretch conversations until they curdle. Its tone is detached and satirical, its people locked in escalating obsession and power games, and the emotional register stays cool even at its most brutal. Expect intense, sudden violence, including bloody, physically harsh scenes, along with threatening captivity and sustained dread. This is for viewers who enjoy sharp satire, bleak humour and uncomfortable, precisely staged unease.
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