The cast and crew of Bugonia are pulling back the curtain on the film’s creative process ahead of its release. The dark sci-fi comedy follows two young men who believe the world is under alien control and kidnap Michelle, a powerful CEO they suspect of being an extraterrestrial. Emma Stone, who plays Michelle, stunned fans by shaving her head for the role—a bold choice that replaced heavy prosthetics with raw authenticity. Director Yorgos Lanthimos even joined her, shaving his own head in solidarity to build a shared sense of trust and commitment on set.
Jesse Plemons, who plays Teddy, revealed that his supposedly low-maintenance character ironically required extra time in the makeup chair because of his signature ponytail. The custom hairpiece, designed by head of hair and makeup Torsten Witte, became an unexpected highlight of his transformation. The camaraderie among the cast created a relaxed, collaborative environment on set, making even the strangest scenes feel natural and grounded.
The film’s design team paid special attention to visual storytelling through costume and texture. Michelle’s sleek, minimal wardrobe reflects her CEO precision and cool authority, while Teddy’s look embraces rugged practicality. Costume designer Jennifer Johnson shared that Teddy’s outfits were intentionally kept messy—stained with honey and wax from his work—creating a sharp visual contrast to Michelle’s immaculate suits. Teddy’s use of electromagnetic shielding fabric to block “alien radiation” also adds a humorous yet telling touch to his eccentric character.
Bugonia marks the fifth collaboration between Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos, whose partnership continues to yield daring and unconventional results. Lanthimos gave Stone total creative freedom to shape Michelle’s complex personality, allowing her to balance cold rationality with emotional vulnerability. Plemons joined the project immediately after receiving the script, drawn by the director’s bold vision and the film’s offbeat humor.
The movie also stars neurodivergent actor Aiden Delvis as Don, Teddy’s cousin—a role inspired by his high school theater experiences. Lanthimos intentionally embraced the diverse energy of his cast, weaving it into the film’s chaotic yet human tone. An English-language remake of the 2003 Korean hit Save the Earth!, Bugonia is produced and globally distributed by CJ ENM, the studio behind Past Lives. Blending absurdity, emotion, and sci-fi satire, Bugonia continues CJ ENM’s mission to bring Korean-inspired storytelling to global audiences. The film opens in South Korean theaters on November 5.
