BUGONIA (2025)

Following the remarkable success of ‘Poor Things’, James teamed up with Yorgos Lanthimos to create the dark science-fiction comedy ‘Bugonia’. Inspired by the 2003 Korean film ‘Save the Green Planet!’, the screenplay was written by Will Tracy and the film was released in October 2025.

‘Bugonia’ centres on Teddy (Jesse Plemons), an obsessive conspiracy theorist, and his cousin Don (Aiden Delbis), who kidnap a high-powered CEO of a major company (Emma Stone), convinced that she is an alien intent on destroying planet Earth.

From the fully composite setting of Teddy’s house to the imposing corporate world of Michelle, James’ design blurs the lines between delusion and perceived reality, as well as highlighting the power and class dynamics between captor and captive. Despite being set in the USA, the majority of the film was shot on location in the UK, aside from the Andromedan ship, which was achieved through a miniature model and complex studio build.

‘Bugonia’ was nominated for four awards at the 98th Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actress.