Emma Stone’s ‘Bugonia’ Brings Sci-Fi Suspense to Peacock This December

Emma Stone’s latest science fiction thriller, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, is set to make its streaming debut just in time for the holidays. After a successful digital release in November, the much-talked-about film will be available to stream on Peacock starting December 26. Critics have praised the movie for its sharp twists and compelling narrative, calling it one of the standout films of the year.

The story centers on a high-powered executive, portrayed by Stone, who is abducted by two young men convinced she’s an extraterrestrial bent on Earth’s destruction. Inspired by the 2003 Korean cult classic ‘Save the Green Planet!,’ the film has earned a Certified Fresh 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 84% audience score. Reviewers have described it as a “dark, discomforting satire for our polarized political era.”

Star-Studded Cast and Creative Team

‘Bugonia ’ premiered in theaters on October 31, 2025, and features a cast that includes Jesse Plemons, Aidan Delbis, Stavros Halkias, and Alicia Silverstone alongside Stone. The film marks another collaboration between Lanthimos and Stone, following their previous acclaimed projects. The screenplay, penned by Will Tracy, known for ‘The Menu,’ weaves together elements of paranoia and conspiracy, making for a tense and thought-provoking viewing experience.

With awards season on the horizon, both Stone and Lanthimos are expected to be strong contenders for major nominations, thanks to their powerful work on this project.

Paranoia, Isolation, and the Human Condition

The official synopsis reads:

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.

In a recent interview, screenwriter Will Tracy shared how the atmosphere during the COVID-19 pandemic influenced his writing. He explained that the feelings of isolation and uncertainty during that time deeply informed the film’s themes.

I wrote the film sort of during the heat of COVID, and in some ways I still feel like we're living downstream from those moments, from those months. And that feeling of isolation, paranoia, confusion, not quite sure what story to believe, the official story, the unofficial story, every story that you're sort of being told doesn't really feel satisfying and doesn't really feel like it's leading you towards anything productive, either for you or your community.

Dark Turns and Unflinching Storytelling

Without giving away key plot points, ‘Bugonia’ delves into some unsettling territory, including the troubled past of Teddy, played by Jesse Plemons, and a finale that refuses to sugarcoat reality. Tracy reflected on the motivations driving each character, noting that everyone in the film is desperately trying to protect something important to them.

How else do you, you know, when you look around the world and see everything that's wrong, how do you live in that? You could just put on your blinders and try to make money, you put on your blinders and distract yourself, or you could try to do something... Everyone in the movie is on a mission to save something.