It can feel tough these days to tell what's real from something hidden, making you wonder if it even matters trying to spot the differences. You could just give up, or get so caught up in figuring things out that you start believing every idea is a secret plot, which would leave you on the fringes with no one taking you seriously. The reality probably lies somewhere between those two extremes, but how do we know what’s accurate and important? Those are the questions explored throughout this new dark comedy/fable from director Yorgos Lanthimos. It centers around two cousins, Teddy (Jesse Plemons) and Don (Aidan Delbis), who kidnap Michelle Fuller (Emma Stone), the head of a large drug company, convinced she's an alien from Andromeda planning to destroy humanity. But are they right or just imagining things? The story shifts back and forth, especially as their captive uses psychological tricks to confuse them and make them doubt themselves. This unusual group has only four days – the time until the supposed arrival of the Andromedan mothership coinciding with the next lunar eclipse – to sort everything out, a task complicated by several side stories and Michelle’s efforts to undermine their plans. As the film unfolds, it brings up interesting points about what companies are really after, unchecked greed, how honest public health programs truly are, damage to the environment (specifically concerning bees and colony collapse disorder), and the history of Earth. It's a fascinating combination of influences that consistently holds your attention, boosted by excellent performances from the three main actors, a well-written script, imaginative special effects, and an unusual musical score. There are occasional pacing problems, and some scenes with graphic violence might be too intense for certain viewers. But aside from those small issues, “Bugonia” is the first standout film of this year’s awards season and another impressive work from Lanthimos, who's definitely one of the most in-demand directors working today. This unusual movie probably won’t appeal to everyone, and you might not leave with a better understanding of how to tell what's real from something deliberately concealed. However, it does give us plenty to consider as we try – whether successfully or not – to understand what’s truly happening in the world and what we can do about it.

Source on TMDB