MOVIE REVIEW | Bugonia – Yorgos Lanthimos continues his streak of boundary-pushing cinema with Bugonia, a film that’s as strange and daring as you’d expect from the director of The Favourite and Poor Things.
Based on the 2003 South Korean cult classic Save the Green Planet!, this English-language reimagining blends dark humor, sci-fi paranoia, and psychological intensity into a single, genre-defying ride.
The story follows two conspiracy-obsessed young men who kidnap a powerful CEO, convinced she’s an alien planning to destroy Earth. Emma Stone plays the executive, Michelle Fuller, whose composed corporate exterior is put to the ultimate test when she becomes the prisoner of Teddy (Jesse Plemons) and his cousin Don (Aidan Delbis). As their twisted interrogation unfolds, the film questions who the real monsters might be — and whether paranoia and truth are as far apart as they seem.
From the trailer alone, it was hard to know what Bugonia wanted to be: part thriller, part sci-fi, part horror, part absurdist comedy.
And in many ways, it’s all of those at once — a chaotic mix that somehow works. The film delivers on that eclectic promise, feeling unpredictable and unnerving throughout. It’s one of those movies that leaves you blinking at the credits, asking yourself, Did I really just see that?
I actually guessed the twist ending early on — not because it was obvious, but because films like this have trained us to expect the bizarre. Still, when the ending came, it was wild enough to satisfy even the most seasoned Lanthimos fans. The performances ground the madness: Jesse Plemons is excellent as the unhinged yet oddly sympathetic conspiracy theorist, and Emma Stone brings both poise and vulnerability to her role, balancing terror and defiance beautifully.
While Bugonia may lean into the art-house side of things, it still manages to resonate with a broader audience. At the preview screening I attended, the crowd responded with a long, enthusiastic round of applause — proof that even a film this eccentric can connect widely when it’s this well-crafted.
In the end, Bugonia is unsettling, funny, strange, and surprisingly moving — a cinematic experiment that pays off more often than not. It’s not for everyone, but if you appreciate bold, genre-bending storytelling, it’s absolutely worth the trip.
Directed by: Yorgos Lanthimos
Screenplay by: Will Tracy
Starring: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Aidan Delbis, Stavros Halkias, and Alicia Silverstone
Produced by: Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Yorgos Lanthimos, Emma Stone, Ari Aster, Lars Knudsen, Miky Lee, and Jerry Kyoungboum Ko
Bugonia – now screening in cinemas across Australia
Link to Universal Pictures HERE
TV Central Movie Reviews HERE
TV Central Movie Previews HERE
MOVIE REVIEW | Bugonia
@UniversalPicsAU
Rating
Aaron: 7 / 10 “Lanthimos once again proves he’s a master of the unexpected.”
Zak: 7.5 / 10 “Not flawless, but bold, bizarre, and completely unforgettable.”
Synopsis:
Cast: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Aidan Delbis, Stavros Halkias, and Alicia Silverstone
Directed By: Yorgos Lanthimos
Screenplay By: Will Tracy
Produced By: Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Yorgos Lanthimos, Emma Stone, Ari Aster, Lars Knudsen, Miky Lee, Jerry Kyoungboum Ko
Executive Producer: Nigel Marchant
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.
Cinema Experience:
Nestled at 57 Liege Street, Innaloo (WA 6018) within easy reach of Scarborough Beach and with ample free ground-level parking on site, Event Cinemas Innaloo presents itself as one of Perth’s most ambitious modern cinema destinations. eventcinemas.com.au+2thescoop.au+2
What stands out
- Technology & premium formats: This location now boasts WA’s only 4DX auditorium — complete with moving seats and over 21 special effects (wind, fog, water, scents) to immerse you in the film. EVT+1
It also offers V-Max, upgraded Gold Class, and soon an IMAX® with Laser and SCREENX-270° experience. filmink.com.au+1 - Convenience & location: Free parking is a major plus. The cinema is a standalone venue with a large footprint (16 premium theatres including 4 Gold Class and 2 V-Max). Event Cinemas | Private Hire | AU+1
- Big-screen entertainment value: For those seeking spectacle — big sound, big screen, multiple seating options — this venue delivers many of the “premium cinema” tick-boxes.
What could be better
- Service & consistency concerns: While the big format experiences are strong, reviews suggest the premium tiers (particularly older Gold Class sessions) haven’t always delivered value. One visitor reported: “Gold Class? Forget about it – TERRIBLE!! … Generally the cinemas are in poor condition with rubbish in the hallways and toilets often revolting.” Tripadvisor+1
- Cleanliness & hygiene: Some guests describe dated or neglected facilities: dirty toilets, seats uncleaned between sessions, etc. For example: “Someone had vomited all over the place … and they then left the vomit all over the place without cleaning it up …” Tripadvisor
- Price vs experience trade-off: The cost for premium formats can be high, and some comment that while the screen and audio are good, the experience isn’t always commensurate with the price paid. ProductReview.com.au+1
Verdict
If you’re after a high-end night out — a blockbuster in 4DX, V-Max or soon SCREENX/IMAX at Innaloo — this cinema is one of the top options in Perth right now. The technology, the seating options and the free parking all work in its favour.
However, if you’re expecting every visit (especially standard or older theatres within the complex) to offer flawless premium service, you may leave slightly underwhelmed. For those moments when everything aligns — comfortable seats, pristine theatre, minimal distractions — it’s a strong choice. But be aware: some sessions still carry signs of past inconsistency.
