Bugonia

Conspiracy-obsessed Teddy (Plemons) and his younger cousin Don (Aidan Delbis) kidnap Michelle, Stone), the high-powered CEO of a huge corporation and take her to Teddy’s old run-down house out in the boonies. Why? They truly believe that she is an “Andromedan” alien from another planet who, disguised as a human, has come, along with many more aliens, to take over control of Earth. And the first thing they do is shave her head because they think that her hair is a conduit for communication with her alien mothership. Yikes! Watching Stone being shaved and the further results are disturbing enough. 

Teddy is the leader of this operation, showing throughout the script, that he has done an incredible amount of research, scientific and not.  And he has developed all kinds of tests, paraphernalia and electronic equipment to try out on his shackled hostage. Michelle goes between trying to placate Teddy, and argue with him, to exhaustion, to convince him she is not who they think she is. One minute Teddy is nice, the next, tough as nails imposing consequences, from tying her up tighter, to using special machines to put her through excruciating torture. Those scenes are as hard to sit through for the audience ,as well as Michelle.  

Plemons is super scary. You’ll continually question his motives and behavior. He reportedly lost 60 pounds for this role. So thin with disheveled hair and weird wrinkled mismatched outfits, he looks pretty much like a crazed derelict. His language is halting and he’s constantly making conversation with shy young Don. Whenever Teddy isn’t around, Michelle tries to create a friendship with cousin Don who is completely under Teddy’s control. A sudden, totally unexpected incident foreshadows more to come. 

Flashbacks let us know why Teddy is looking for revenge from CEO Michelle’s company. They make Auxolith, a medication his mother, Sandy (Alicia Silverstone) took that has left her in a perpetual coma. While you’re thinking that this is what put Teddy over the edge, it’s not. The local sheriff, Casey (Stavros Halkias) shows up talking about a past incident while babysitting Teddy. when he was young. Plus, we find out the real purpose of Auxolith. Hang on, for a wild psychological ride. Without giving anything away, Lanthimos will have you sitting straight up in your seat in the film’s final act.  

At the very least, this film is a confusing sci-fi tale about conspiracy, control, and humanity that will make you wonder if we could possibly be controlled by something from space. Lanthimos wields uncomfortable tension, while Stone, Plemons and newcomer Aidan Delbis bring bizarre, convincing performances that may make you wince looking up in space tonight. Could something, or someone, be looking back at us? 

Focus Features   1 hour 58 minutes      R