Battle royale of wills: A review of ‘Bugonia’

A scene from ‘Bugonia’

“Bugonia” is the newest film from film auteur Yorgos Lanthimos. The Greek Director’s films are highly admired for their uniquely framed cinematography, deadpan acting in absurd situations, and the dark, often darkly comedic tone that pervades. Characterized by an eccentric worldview, a penchant for violence, and being sexually explicit in his content, and for strong social commentary, the ones who love his films will hotly argue as to which is their favorite. My top three, in no particular order, would consist of The Lobster, The Favourite, and Poor Things.

So “Bugonia” is an odd shaggy dog within this already weird universe of Lanthimos. It shares similarities with The Killing of a Sacred Deer in terms of its visceral scenes and shock value. Still, there’s also a potent social commentary being made about conspiracy theorists, internet ‘wisdom’ – or the lack of it, and about obsession. It’s actually a remake of the 2003 South Korean film Save the Green Planet.

The premise revolves around Teddy Gatz (Jesse Plemons) and his simple cousin Don (Aidan Delis), who plot to kidnap Michelle Fuller (Emma Stone), the CEO of a major pharmaceutical company. The reason for the kidnapping isn’t financial gain, ransom, or even power. Led by Teddy, the two men believe that Michelle is an alien from the Andromeda Galaxy and that they have plans to enslave the human race. Teddy believes that the crimes the Andromedans have committed include killing the honeybees, as he has a bee farm in his backyard.

It’s on this absurd premise that the battle of wills between Teddy and Michelle ensues. A strong woman who has reached the CEO position by taking control of any situation, it’s interesting to watch Michelle handle someone like Teddy, who obviously has a cracked version of reality to guide him. And there’s the relationship between Teddy and Don. Don looks up to Teddy, even when he knows there’s something wrong in the reasoning of Teddy – or so we think.

The screenplay of Will Tracy (he co-wrote The Menu) knows how to keep us off balance and on the edge of our seats after we suspend disbelief. And if, at first, Lanthimos and Tracy seem to be commenting on the USA of today, we quickly discover that the two are more ambitious than that, and are taking on the global attitude towards the environment and our role as stewards of this planet.

Both Stone and Plemons are at the top of their game in this film. If Stone is the Ice Queen turned realist, constantly adjusting to the new situation, and Plemons is as adept at offering us insight into his motive and how his paranoia is fueled by personal tragedy and a sad family history.

If there is a fault to this film, though, I would say it’s the heavy-handed ending that overstays its welcome. We get the point, but Lanthimos can’t seem to take his foot off the pedal in bringing home this message. “Bugonia” isn’t going to unseat any of my top three Yorgos films. It’s fun and watchable, but doesn’t integrate his themes as well as those three that I truly admire. — Philip Cu Unjieng

*****
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