​​Yorgos Lanthimos takes a look at dismantling capitalism through the lens of conspiracy theories in Bugonia. The film follows two conspiracy theorists who think that a female, high-profile corporate executive is an alien. The film stars Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, who are supported by Alicia Silverstone, Aidan Delbis, and Stravos Halakias.

Catalyst of Conspiracy 

Bugonia is Yorgos Lanthimos’ take on the 2003 Korean film, Save the Green Planet!. The film follows Teddy and Don, two cousins who live together. Teddy has an idea to kidnap the CEO of a large healthcare company (in which he also works), who has been exploiting sick people, including one of his loved ones. At the head of this organization is Michelle Fuller, a female, high-profile CEO who is the root cause of a lot of unfortunate events involving sick patients. Due to these injustices that have harmed many, Don and Teddy kidnap Michelle not only because of the line of work she’s in, but also because they think she is an alien. The story evolves when the rivalry between Michelle and Teddy sets in; there’s a motive behind their actions, and oftentimes, both of them make observations about each other that are true, but the way they go about it is wrong due to self-indulgence. This makes the narrative intriguing as there is so much happening while trying to get to the bottom of who both Teddy and Michelle are and what they are hiding. The catalyst for this is the dialogue, as it is heavy-handed and even witty, more so at times, due to the cadence that Lanthimos is known for. As the film progresses, the stakes get even higher, leading to a conclusion that only Yorgos Lanthimos could cultivate. 

Power and Pain

The highlight of Bugonia was the performances. Jesse Plemons gives an amazing performance, as from the beginning, he is narrating the story. He basically orates how capitalism works and how, oftentimes, working-class people are peasants and pawns in rich people’s games. This metaphor is shown through his hobbies as a beekeeper. His story is the most complex of all the characters, as he is a conspiracy theorist, but there is more than meets the eye. There is a motive that he is trying to pursue, and it is commendable as it would benefit the working class and the underprivileged. The observations that Plemons makes in this film oftentimes seem abrasive, which they are, but they add to what he wants the audience to know about Michelle.

Emma Stone is just as magnetic as she portrays Michelle Fuller, the CEO of a health care company. This is a strong performance as she is a female corporate executive, which is highlighted throughout the film. She is firm in business but assumes power over everyone around her. Stones’ greatest contribution to Michelle is that she is psychologically in tune with what makes others tick. Throughout the film, she psychoanalyzes Teddy and does so in a way that makes him express mentally questionable feelings. She does this in a way that exposes Teddy as someone who may be just as complicit as she is by the way of accountability.