Dark comedy Bugonia showcases the talents of Plemons and Stone

Film review: Bugonia (15) - seen at The Light, Wisbech

Starring: Jessie Plemons, Emma Stone and Aidan Delbis

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos Run time: One hour, 58 minutes

I'd say most of us would admit the human race isn't exactly the best guests planet Earth might have hoped for.

We treat sentient animals with abhorrent cruelty and, despite our own science flagging up the danger, use our host like a ‘70s rock and roll hell raiser uses a hotel room.

There have already been films addressing this selfish neglect, and there will be plenty more as we hurtle towards oblivion... but I'd wager that not many will do so in such an entertaining and blindsiding way.

On the face of it, this dark comedy is about a conspiracy-obsessed young man (Teddy, played by Jesse Plemons) and his autistic cousin Don (Aidan Delbis) who kidnap the high-powered CEO (Michelle, played by Emma Stone) of a major company, convinced that she is an alien intent on destroying the planet.

The film’s title refers to an ancient Greek belief that a cow's carcass could spawn bees, that life could come from death. The current demise of the bees is something that the cousins plant firmly on Michelle.

It's clear from the get-go that Teddy is an extremely troubled individual, but that docile Don is a follower rather than a believer.

Plemons puts in his usual wonderful performance, and Stone is as captivating as ever. Her hair shaved off, her body shackled and covered in antihistamine cream to prevent contact with the mothership, you should be on her side. But you're not.

The film, complemented by a crashing old-fashioned orchestral score, is so captivating that you don't really stop to think where it's going... until it rollercoasts in the final quarter.

Is it a satisfying ending? Is it subtle? I'm not sure.

But this is from the director of the wonderful Poor Things, so we shouldn't be surprised. It's certainly a great watch from a director who wants to challenge us. I just think the ending was a bit lame.

Rating 8/10

By Jeremy Ransome