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Bugonia’ Heads to Theaters After Bald-Only Preview and Divisive Early Reviews

Early reactions signal a provocative rollout ahead of the Oct. 24 platform opening.

Overview

  • Focus Features staged a free advance screening at the Culver Theater in Culver City that required attendees to arrive bald or be shaved on-site.
  • Critics widely praise Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons’ performances while questioning Yorgos Lanthimos’ shock‑driven approach, with Rotten Tomatoes scores reported around 90%.
  • The film begins a U.S. platform release on Oct. 24 with wider expansion expected later in October following a strong festival run that included Venice.
  • Bugonia is an English‑language remake of Jang Joon-hwan’s 2003 cult film Save the Green Planet! centered on two conspiracists who kidnap a pharmaceutical CEO they believe is an alien.
  • Stone, who also serves as a producer, shaved her head for the role and described the transformation as quick, easy, and fun in recent interviews.