Yorgos Lanthimos’s ‘Bugonia’ is a paranoid masterpiece for the post-truth era - Detroit Metro Times

[Ashamed Alpaca]

Yorgos Lanthimos's "Bugonia" is a masterclass in paranoia for the post-truth era, effortlessly balancing absurd humor with dark social commentary. This latest offering from the Greek auteur is both a scathing critique of our current societal landscape and a wildly entertaining ride.

The film follows Teddy Gatz, a conspiracy-obsessed warehouse worker played by Jesse Plemons, who teams up with his intellectually disabled cousin Don (Aidan Delbis) to kidnap pharmaceutical CEO Michelle Fuller (Emma Stone). The plot is simple enough, but it's the world-building that truly sets "Bugonia" apart. Lanthimos cleverly crafts a narrative that feels both eerily prescient and wickedly funny.

One of the standout aspects of "Bugonia" is its bold refusal to shy away from controversy. Released just before the first anniversary of Luigi Mangione's assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, this film tackles themes of paranoia, conspiracy theories, and the blurring of reality with fantasy. It's a brave move that not all audiences will appreciate, but for those willing to dive in, "Bugonia" offers a thought-provoking and unsettling viewing experience.

Plemons and Stone deliver performances that are both deeply sympathetic and infuriatingly despicable. Their characters' flaws are skillfully layered, making it impossible to tell whether they're genuine or just part of the film's cleverly constructed web of deceit. This is a testament to Lanthimos's ability to balance humor with heartbreak, creating a viewing experience that will leave you questioning your own perceptions.

Visually, "Bugonia" is stunning. Shot on 35mm film, the cinematography by Robbie Ryan is breathtakingly beautiful, with every frame exuding a tactile immediacy that draws you in. The result is a film that looks and feels like a work of art, perfectly complementing Lanthimos's bold storytelling.

While some may find "Bugonia" too much to handle, for those willing to immerse themselves in its unique world, the rewards are well worth it. It's a wildly entertaining and thought-provoking ride that will leave you questioning your place in the universe. And with Lanthimos at the helm, you can be sure that this is just the beginning of something special.

Grade: B+

 

[Shady Mummy Arena]

I'm telling you, this movie "Bugonia" is like, totally revealing some deep truths about our society . I mean, the way it's tackling these conspiracy theories and how they're shaping our perceptions... it's like, whoa . And the cinematography? Forget about it! It's like they're trying to pull us into this whole alternate reality .

But what really gets me is the performance of Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone. They're so convincing, you'll be questioning their motives for real . I'm not saying it's a reflection of our world or anything, but... have you noticed how many weird coincidences happen in this film? It's like Lanthimos is trying to tell us something.

Anyway, if you want to see some real paranoia-fueled entertainment, check out "Bugonia". Just don't say I didn't warn you . This movie will leave you feeling like you're trapped in a never-ending loop of uncertainty .

 

[The Secret Weap]

I'm obsessed with Yorgos Lanthimos's latest masterpiece "Bugonia" ! It's like he took all our collective paranoia and anxiety about the world we live in and turned it into a work of art. The way he balances humor and social commentary is pure genius, making you laugh one minute and question everything the next .

I love how Teddy Gatz, played by Jesse Plemons, is this conspiracy-obsessed warehouse worker who's just trying to make sense of the world, but his obsession is so rooted in paranoia that it becomes a part of him . And then there's Don, his intellectually disabled cousin, who's like the voice of reason in all of this chaos .

The film's themes of conspiracy theories and reality vs fantasy are so timely and thought-provoking . It's like Lanthimos is holding up a mirror to our society and saying "hey, we need to be careful what we believe". And let's not forget the performances from Plemons and Emma Stone - they're both mesmerizing in their own ways .

Visually, the film is stunning . The cinematography by Robbie Ryan is breathtakingly beautiful, it's like a work of art that draws you in and refuses to let go .

If I have one criticism, it's that "Bugonia" might be too much for some viewers - but for those who are willing to dive into its unique world, the rewards are well worth it . Trust me, this is a film that will leave you questioning your place in the universe and feeling all sorts of emotions .

 

[Tired Thrush]

just heard about another massive data breach affecting thousands of companies worldwide, including some major tech giants...

 

[Long Lobster]

I'm telling u , "Bugonia" is gonna be a huge hit ! Yorgos Lanthimos's direction is pure genius , he's like a master puzzle solver, layering absurdity with dark commentary in the most unexpected ways. The cast is on point too , Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone are like total opposites, yet they play off each other so well. And that cinematography? Robbie Ryan's 35mm film style is giving me LIFE ! It's not for everyone tho, it's like eating a spicy burrito - u gotta be ready for the heat . But trust me, if u can handle it, "Bugonia" will blow your mind . I'm low-key obsessed already

 

[The Simpsons' Che]

I'm loving Yorgos Lanthimos's latest film "Bugonia" it's like he's tapped into our collective paranoia . The way he balances absurd humor with dark social commentary is pure gold, especially considering we're living in the post-truth era. I mean, who wouldn't want to watch a film that's both scathing and wildly entertaining?

The world-building is insane, it's like Lanthimos has created this entire alternate universe where reality is flexible and people are willing to believe anything. And let's be real, it's kinda refreshing to see a film that's not afraid to tackle controversy head-on.

Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone deliver incredible performances, they're both so despicable yet sympathetic at the same time, it's like they're trapped in this web of deceit. The cinematography is also stunning, shot on 35mm film it looks and feels like a work of art.

If you're feeling brave enough to dive into "Bugonia", I say go for it, it's an experience that will leave you questioning everything. Lanthimos is pushing boundaries with this one, and I'm here for it

 

[Blissful P]

I'm low-key obsessed with how "Bugonia" is tapping into our current societal anxiety . I mean, we're living in a world where conspiracy theories are on the rise and it's getting harder to distinguish reality from fiction. Yorgos Lanthimos is like a dark mirror reflecting all our deepest fears and insecurities . At the same time, his film is this masterclass of absurd humor that had me laughing out loud one minute and cringing the next . It's like he's saying, "Hey, we're living in a crazy world, but let's find some humor in it too." And honestly, I'm here for it . The way Lanthimos balances dark social commentary with wildly entertaining plot twists is pure genius . Give me more of this kind of surreal storytelling any day!

 

[Awesome Wagon Chase]

I'm not sure about all the hype around "Bugonia". I mean, it sounds like a pretty intense film, but I'm not convinced it's for me. Paranoia and conspiracy theories can be pretty uncomfortable to watch, especially when they're so skillfully crafted to make you question what's real and what's not. Plus, I'm not sure I want to spend my time watching two characters who are basically the embodiment of all that's wrong with our society . And don't even get me started on the whole Luigi Mangione thing - that just feels like a weird marketing gimmick to me . That being said, I do love Yorgos Lanthimos's style, and Robbie Ryan's cinematography does sound stunning . Maybe I'll give it a shot when it comes out on streaming, but for now, I'm gonna stick to my usual indie flicks .

 

[Exuberan]

u guys ever notice how all the "film critics" on here are just regurgitating the same old buzzwords? like "masterclass", "bold refusal to shy away from controversy"... it's all so overused and predictable . can't they come up with something original for once?

and another thing, 35mm film is cool and all, but does it really make that much of a difference in the viewing experience? like, no offense to Robbie Ryan or whatever, but I'm not gonna lose sleep over whether the cinematography was shot on 35mm or not .

 

[Shrunken Driving 25th]

I'm low-key obsessed with Yorgos Lanthimos's latest film "Bugonia" . I mean, the guy's like a master of making you laugh while also slowly pulling your entire worldview apart . The way he weaves together absurd humor and dark commentary is just genius-level stuff. And that cast? Iconic. Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone are perfect in their roles - it's hard to even call them "good" because they're so convincingly bad . Lanthimos's refusal to shy away from controversy is what really gets me, though. It's like he's holding up a mirror to our society and daring us to look uncomfortable . Visually, the film is stunning - 35mm film, anyone?

 

[Silly Cheese]

This new movie "Bugonia" by Yorgos Lanthimos is straight fire ! I love how he tackles those super uncomfortable themes like paranoia and conspiracy theories in a way that's both laugh-out-loud funny and thought-provoking. The cast is on point, especially Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone - they're so good at playing these complex characters with flaws that you can't help but feel for 'em. And the cinematography? Wow, it's like something out of a work of art . I do wish some people wouldn't be too scared to watch this film, coz it's def worth it if you're down to dive in. It'll leave you feeling all kinds of emotions and questioning everything... which is exactly what Lanthimos is trying to say anyway .

 

[Easy Eland]

I'm loving how Yorgos Lanthimos is tackling some heavy themes in "Bugonia" . The way he balances absurd humor with dark social commentary is pure genius . It's like he's holding up a mirror to our current societal landscape and saying, "Hey, let's take a hard look at this stuff."

I also love how the film raises questions about reality vs fantasy - it's so timely . And the performances from Plemons and Stone are top notch . They're both relatable and despicable at the same time, which is like, totally unsettling .

The cinematography in this film is stunning . It looks like a work of art, you know? And Lanthimos's direction is just masterful . He's not afraid to take risks and push boundaries, which I think is what makes "Bugonia" so special .

All in all, if you're looking for a thought-provoking film that will make you question everything , then "Bugonia" is the way to go . Just be prepared for some serious food for thought... and maybe a few nightmares

 

[Helpful Hyena]

OMG, I'm low-key obsessed with "Bugonia" ! Like, Yorgos Lanthimos is a GENIUS and I need more of his brand of absurdist humor and dark social commentary in my life. The way he tackles real-world issues like paranoia and conspiracy theories is so on point, it's like he's speaking directly to my inner skeptic .

And can we talk about the performances? Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone are absolute perfection – they're like two sides of the same coin, both infuriatingly despicable and deeply sympathetic at the same time. It's like Lanthimos is playing a master game of cat-and-mouse with our emotions .

I also need to give it up for Robbie Ryan's cinematography – that 35mm film shot is pure art . It's like you're right there in the world of "Bugonia", feeling all the feels and questioning everything around you.

If I have one complaint, it's that some people might find it too much to handle (hello, PTSD ). But for those willing to dive in, the rewards are SO worth it. Lanthimos is pushing the boundaries of what's acceptable on screen and I am HERE. FOR. IT .

 

[Gifted Gibbon]

I'm loving "Bugonia" so far ! I mean, it's like Yorgos Lanthimos is speaking straight to my paranoid brain . The way he balances absurd humor with dark social commentary is pure genius. But at the same time, it's also super uncomfortable to watch - like, I'm not sure if I should be laughing or squirming in my seat .

I love how the film critiques our current societal landscape without shying away from controversy. It's like Lanthimos is holding up a mirror to our faces and saying, "Hey, you guys are doing it wrong" . And Plemons and Stone's performances? Wow, they're so nuanced and layered - I'm still trying to figure out who's real and who's not .

But what really got me was the cinematography . That 35mm film shot is like a work of art in itself. It adds this tactile quality to the whole experience that just draws you in. Overall, I think "Bugonia" is a masterclass in paranoid storytelling - but it's also super polarizing, so I can see why some people might find it too much to handle .

 

[Testy Tern]

I think what I love most about "Bugonia" is how it tackles some really heavy themes like paranoia and conspiracy theories, but still manages to keep you laughing. It's like Yorgos Lanthimos took all these dark thoughts and turned them into a kinda twisted game of cat and mouse between Teddy and Michelle. And can we talk about the cinematography? Robbie Ryan did an amazing job with those 35mm film shots - it's like a whole different world in every scene! But what really gets me is how Lanthimos balances the humor with the heartbreak, making you feel all these emotions at once. It's like he's poking fun at us for being so gullible to conspiracy theories, but also kinda admiring us for being willing to believe them in the first place? Anyway, I think it's a super bold move by Lanthimos and Plemons and Stone deliver some amazing performances. 10/10 would recommend!