Emma Stone surprised fans and reporters alike during a press conference in Venice on Thursday, candidly revealing her belief in extraterrestrial life.
The 36-year-old actress was promoting her new dark comedy, Bugonia, in which she stars as a CEO who may—or may not—be an alien herself.
Exploring the Role in Bugonia
Bugonia, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, follows a CEO kidnapped by two conspiracy theorists convinced she is an alien plotting humanity’s demise.
When asked whether she believed in an ultimate intelligence observing humans, Stone replied:
“I don’t know about looking down on us, but one of my favorite people ever is Carl Sagan.
I watched his show Cosmos and fell in love with his philosophy, science, and brilliance.
He believed that thinking we’re alone in this vast universe is pretty narcissistic.
So yes, I’m coming out and saying it: I believe in aliens!”
Her playful side also showed when she joked about success: “How do you know I’m not an alien?” She elaborated on maintaining her personal identity amidst fame, explaining the delicate balance between public persona and private self, and how it helps her stay grounded.
Shaving Her Head for Art
Stone has a history of bold choices in Lanthimos films.
For Poor Things, she won a Best Actress Oscar and embraced the Lanthimos “family” of performers.
For Bugonia, she had to shave her head on camera—a moment that stirred real emotion, recalling her mother Krista Stone’s battle with triple-negative breast cancer.
“She actually did something brave. I’m just shaving my head,” Stone shared, noting the emotional connection and celebrating her mother’s cancer-free status through a Beatles-inspired tattoo tradition.
Despite the dramatic transformation, Stone embraced the change: her first shower after shaving her head was “amazing,” though she initially covered her bald look with a wig for public appearances.
She joked about her hair regrowth being slow, but her confidence remained intact.
On-Screen Chemistry and Action
Stone’s co-star Jesse Plemons joined her in several physically demanding fight scenes, partly performed themselves with stunt doubles assisting.
Plemons reflected on the challenges: “It’s very easy when you read in the script: ‘Teddy is running.’
But Teddy is running a lot—for pretty much the entire third act.”
The film also features Alicia Silverstone, Aidan Delbis, and comedian Stavros Halkias, creating a mix of suspense and dark comedy.
Lanthimos’ Vision and Social Commentary
While Bugonia is inspired by the 2003 Korean film Save The Green Planet!, Lanthimos insists the story isn’t purely fictional or dystopian.
“A lot of it reflects the real world,” he said. “Humanity is facing a reckoning with technology, AI, wars, climate change, and denial of these issues.
People need to choose the right path, or our time is limited.”
Lanthimos’ recent work includes Poor Things, which won the Golden Lion at Venice in 2023 and four Oscars, and Kinds of Kindness, which premiered at Cannes in 2024.
A Stylish Appearance at the Photocall
At the Venice photocall, Stone turned heads in a sleek black halterneck dress with asymmetrical lace trim, paired with strappy heels that highlighted her slender frame and new hairstyle.
She portrayed her character, Michelle, with a compelling mix of vulnerability and strength, capturing the film’s intense themes and quirky humor.
Upcoming Release and Festival Buzz
Bugonia has already earned nominations for Best Film at the Venice Film Festival and the San Sebastian Audience Award.
The sci-fi dark comedy, inspired by Jang Joon-hwan’s 2003 Korean classic, is set for a UK release on November 7, 2025, promising audiences a thrilling blend of suspense, humor, and thought-provoking commentary on humanity.
