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Early Reviews Divide on Emma StoneJesse Plemons Thriller ‘Bugonia’ Ahead of Release

A bald-only advance screening underscores a gimmick-heavy campaign built around Emma Stone’s head‑shaving transformation.

Overview

  • Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, the film is an English-language remake of Jang Joon-hwan’s 2003 Save the Green Planet! written by Will Tracy and led by Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons.
  • The story follows pharmaceutical CEO Michelle Fuller, who is abducted by conspiracy believers convinced she is an alien, with her captors shaving her head as part of their delusion.
  • Major-outlet reviews published Oct. 20–21 praise the performances but critique the film’s thematic depth, describing it as provocative yet thin.
  • Festival buzz remains strong, with reports citing a Rotten Tomatoes score around 90% ahead of general audiences seeing the film.
  • Marketing includes a free bald-only advance screening at the Culver Theater in Culver City with an on-site barber, while reporting lists an Oct. 24 limited opening and some outlets citing Oct. 31.