After being a huge fan of Yorgos Lanthimos last film, also starring Emma Stone, Poor Things I went into Bugonia with some high expectations and was somewhat let down.
We follow two young men who are wrapped up in conspiracy theories that have led them to believe that the high ranking female CEO of a major company in their town is actually an alien in disguise. They somehow get away with kidnapping her and then hold her in their basement where they begin various methods on her of what they believe to be ways to get her to admit to being an alien so they negotiate their race leaving earth and humans alone.
The story itself is so far out there but shockingly predictable. Every major moment I saw coming from a mile away which almost left feeling like there was nothing truly coming. Granted one scene in particular even expecting it was still shocking, it didn’t resonate the same way as previous films of his.
What will be most divisive among viewers though is if you love or hate the ending, which I am in the latter of. There might not have been many other ways to tackle it but I just didn’t enjoy it none the less.
The real stand out here goes to Jesse Plemons who plays a country folk conspiracy nut down to a perfection. Fully engrossing his cousin, who is a bit on the slower side, played by Aidan Delbis into the mix its frightening because of his realistic he comes off and knowing that there are many people in the country similar to him at this exact moment. Emma Stone of course knocks it out of the park even if this is an easier role seemingly than her last Yorgos role in Poor Things.
Its an enjoyable watch led by some great performances that just gets bogged down because of the story and climax. It will end up being something you either truly loved or just feel a little let down by. Regardless its worth the view though.
Score :
3.5 / 5
