The new horror-sci-fi satire Bugonia has made a confident start at the box office, grossing $690,000 during its opening weekend in the United States.
Spoiler Alert: This article contains plot details and spoilers. Continue reading at your own discretion.
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Emma Stone, the film has already generated intense discussion for its bizarre plot, disturbing imagery, and philosophical ending.
According to figures from The Numbers, Bugonia debuted on Friday, 24vOctober 2025, across just 17 theatres in North America, with a per-theatre average of $40,588.
The movie will expand to a wider release on 31 October, and international screenings — including in South Africa — are scheduled for late November.
Despite its limited rollout, the film’s early performance is considered solid for an arthouse project with a dark, unconventional theme.
Bugonia tells the story of two conspiracy-obsessed men who kidnap a high-powered CEO, believing she is an alien plotting to destroy Earth.
What begins as a disturbing hostage thriller quickly turns into something much stranger, blending black comedy and science fiction.
The film is a remake of the 2003 South Korean cult classic Save the Green Planet!, though Lanthimos adds his trademark surreal style and dark humour.
Emma Stone plays Michelle Fuller, the kidnapped businesswoman, while Jesse Plemons portrays Teddy, a mentally unstable man seeking revenge for his mother’s death.
The twist, as revealed in the film’s third act, is that Michelle really is an alien — an Andromedan empress who has secretly observed and manipulated humanity for centuries.
In its final moments, Bugonia delivers one of the most haunting endings of the year. As explained by Den of Geek, Michelle returns to her spaceship and “flips a switch,” ending all human life on Earth.
However, animals are left alive, creating a strange sense of peace in a world without people .
Screenwriter Will Tracy, who also worked on The Menu, described the conclusion as both dark and hopeful.
“We see everything we’d be losing, good and bad, without us,” he told Den of Geek.
He added that the story encourages reflection rather than despair:
“If we don’t want that kind of ending for ourselves, then we have to start listening to each other and stop destroying ourselves.”
Critics have praised Bugonia for its bold mix of absurd humour and social commentary. Like Lanthimos’ earlier films — The Lobster, The Favourite, and Poor Things — it explores human cruelty and desire through bizarre but thought-provoking storytelling.
The film’s exploration of conspiracy culture, corporate greed, and the fragility of empathy has struck a chord with audiences.
Though its first-week numbers may seem modest compared to Hollywood blockbusters, Bugonia’s per-theatre average and critical buzz suggest a strong word-of-mouth performance ahead.
The film’s limited release strategy mirrors the path of Poor Things, which started small before expanding to major markets worldwide.
With a running time of 118 minutes and an R rating for “bloody violent content and grisly images,” Bugonia is not for the faint of heart.
Yet, its striking visuals, chilling tone, and complex themes make it one of 2025’s most talked-about releases so far.
