Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos’ next film, Bugonia, now has a home at Focus Features. Focus will release the film with Universal Pictures distributing it internationally (excluding Korea). Bugonia, starring Emma Stone (hello Poor Things reunion!), Alicia Silverstone of Clueless fame, and Jesse Plemons, is set to release on November 7, 2025.

Alicia Silverstone reprises Cher from Clueless for Super Bowl ad
Rakuten

We also have a very short logline that’s intriguing: 

Two conspiracy obsessed young men kidnap the high-powered CEO of a major company, convinced that she is an alien intent on destroying planet Earth.

Searchlight Pictures

Ahh, you gotta love when people kidnap someone and they aren’t human. At least they actually go into it thinking that she’s an otherworldly being. The kidnappers in Abigail had no clue that they were taking on a kid vampire.

Yorgos Lanthimos’ Bugonia is based on a 2003 South Korean sci-fi comedy “Save the Green Planet.” So, if you are like me, you’ll want to check that out while waiting for this movie’s eventual arrival. One thing is for sure: Peter Kujawski, the Chairman of Focus Features, totally digs Bugonia’s storyline. Here’s what he had to say about this news:

Yorgos Lanthimos is a cinematic visionary with a singular style that has captivated audiences worldwide. We could not be more excited to partner with him, Emma and the incredible teams at Element, Square Peg and CJ ENM to reimagine this twisted and darkly funny story.

Emma Stone playing a weird character and Lanthimos’ direction go together like peanut butter and jelly.

Originally published on May 20, 2024.