NEW YORK (OSV News) — As anyone who saw director Yorgos Lanthimos’ 2023 fantasy “Poor Things” will be aware, the Greek-born filmmaker is capable of bringing deep weirdness to the screen. If further evidence of his capacity in that regard was needed, it’s provided in abundance by his latest offering, “Bugonia” (Focus).
This dark comedy, a remake of the 2003 South Korean film “Save the Green Planet!,” is highly creative and compellingly performed by its three principal cast members. But the movie is also sour-spirited, ultimately conveying an anti-humanist environmental message. While they pass quickly, moreover, scenes of gory mayhem make it too grisly for a broad audience.
Jesse Plemons plays working-class loner Teddy Gatz. A paranoid conspiracy theorist, Teddy has become convinced that high-powered pharmaceutical company CEO Michelle Fuller (Emma Stone) is an alien participating in a global plot against mankind. So, with the aid of his mentally challenged cousin — and only friend — Don (Aidan Delbis), he kidnaps her.
Teddy’s goal is to compel his captive to take him and Don on board her spaceship where the duo will negotiate an end to the extraterrestrials’ scheme. To do so, though, they’ll have to wait for a forthcoming lunar eclipse since, so Teddy believes, only then will Michelle be able to transport them all. Thus the main action transpires over the few days leading up to this event.
One of the problems with “Bugonia” is that none of its characters, with the possible exception of Don, are sympathetic. Teddy is obviously a loon, albeit a downtrodden one, and revelatory moments show that Michelle is not only ruthless but nurtures a warped worldview herself. And a child molester who may or may not have mended his ways is thrown into the mix as well.
Grown moviegoers not put off by gruesome sights and nihilistic humor may find elements to appreciate in this intense production, including a bold final plot twist. All others, however, should shoo “Bugonia” away.
The film contains brief but extreme bloody violence, a suicide, torture, rear male and partial nudity, mature references, including to child sexual abuse, a few profanities as well as pervasive rough and considerable crude langauge. The OSV News classification is L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
