‘Bugonia’ terrifyingly portrays the brokenness of humanity

By John Hiett

Have you ever wondered what would happen if conspiracy theorists had enough determination and planning to test their actual theories out? “Bugonia,” an absurdist thriller, deals with this exact question. 

Two beekeepers-turned conspiracy theorists, Teddy (Jesse Plemons) and Don (Aidan Delbis), kidnap a high-level CEO, Michelle Fuller (Emma Stone).

The plot of the movie stems from two beekeepers who have experienced hardship due to a drastic decline in the bee population. They believe that Michelle’s pharmaceutical company is to blame for two reasons; the first being because of the companies’ indirect effects on the bee population, and the second because the CEO is an Andromedan alien sent to destroy earth. 

Teddy and Don are thoroughly convinced through their research related to alien conspiracies that the Andromedans sent their kind, disguised as humans, to conquer the earth and kill all the people. Obviously, the next logical step Teddy and Don make is to kidnap Michelle and interrogate her about being an alien. 

Every actor pulls their weight in this film. From Emma Stone trying to nervously weave her way to freedom, to the conspiracy theorists, Jesse Plemons and Aidan Delbis politely but terrifyingly holding her captive until she confesses. 

The dynamic between Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons is a highlight. Emma’s character, Michelle is scared to death and tries her best to manipulate Teddy to let her go. Teddy tries to maintain a polite exterior which slowly cracks as his broken past reveals the monster he’s become.

“Bugonia” takes heavy inspiration based on the original 2003 South Korean film, “Save the Green Planet!,” adding various twists and stylistic choices to help differentiate it as a Western remake.

One of these differences would be the unique aspect ratio, 1:50:1, which is close to the traditional 4:3 aspect ratio used in older films. This is important because older films use this aspect ratio to push the audience to feel more claustrophobic by having a smaller screen.

“Bugonia” uses this claustrophobic feel to its advantage. Despite the film not necessarily being part of the horror genre, it strongly leans into horror much more than other recent horror films.

The horror is seen as the characters spend the majority of the time in Teddy’s small house, as well as the uncertainty of when he might lash out and harm Michelle. That’s what is truly scary about this film: the portrayal of a man who firmly believes and acts on an absurd concept to the point that no one can convince him otherwise. 

Another way “Bugonia” leans into horror is through leaving things to the imagination. An example of this is when the conspiracy theorists later start using electricity to slowly torture Michelle with the goal of her admitting that she’s an alien. 

Thanks to the aspect ratio and the directing choices, not much of the disturbing moment is shown. Horror comes from the sound design that really bumps up the tension in the movie. This tension adds to the scary idea of two people being so brainwashed and resolute in their beliefs that they are willing to kidnap a person and lose their humanity and morality to prove themselves right.

That’s the main question of the film: who is the true monster? In the movie, Michelle is terrible to others and makes harmful decisions as a CEO. But in contrast, the beekeepers, Teddy and Don, who intend to save the world are willing to kidnap and torture a person to do so. 

With people in authoritative positions, it can be easy to view them as alien (pun intended) or irredeemable people. But we have to realize that people who treat other people badly didn’t start out that way but were molded and influenced to do so. 

Both Michelle and the beekeepers aren’t great people but they still are people, alien or not, their backgrounds shape who they are. And despite the crazy conspiracy the movie presents, the character’s backstories provide depth, allowing us to look past the absurdity and see broken, traumatized people who are just like you and me. 

The alien conspiracy is there as a metaphor to demonstrate how people like Teddy and Don can be treated to a point where their entire worldview and moral compass shifts for the worst.

Regardless of the good intentions Teddy and Don had of saving others or finding the objective truth, it’s not worth losing a part of their humanity and viewing others as subhuman to achieve that goal. 

“Bugonia” wrestles with the constant cycle of broken people making others broken.  People, like the two conspiracy theorists, lash out towards others or cope in weird ways. Yet the film presents hope: it’s not too late to connect with others and work on self- improvement. 

Regardless, we have to be the ones to set aside our differences and break the cycle by treating others with compassion and respect.

“Bugonia” is currently playing in theaters.

John Hiett is a senior biology major. He is passionate about any and all indie video games and loves getting coffee since starting college.

Images courtesy of Focus Features and Element Pictures.