BREAKING: Emma Stone’s highly anticipated film Bugonia has officially set a new box office record, achieving an estimated $4.4 million during its opening weekend. Released during the prime Halloween timeframe, this marks the largest wide opening weekend for director Yorgos Lanthimos, surpassing his previous record of $2.9 million with Poor Things.
With a current domestic total of $5.5 million, Bugonia is gaining momentum amidst a challenging year for the box office. However, the film still faces a daunting path to profitability, with a hefty production budget of $45 million, making it Lanthimos’ most expensive project to date.
The film, a remake of the South Korean cult classic Save the Green Planet!, features Stone as a protagonist who becomes embroiled in a conspiracy orchestrated by a theorist convinced she is an alien. The film has already garnered significant critical acclaim, holding an impressive 86% score on Rotten Tomatoes, bolstering its chances as we enter the holiday movie season.
Stone’s transformative performance, including shaving her head for the role, has placed her in a strong position for an Oscar nomination. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, she expressed her fears about the drastic change, stating she was “so afraid” to shave her head, admitting, “I was like, play dead, basically, play dead.”
If Stone wins her third Best Actress Oscar, she would make history as the first actor since Katharine Hepburn to achieve such a feat. Currently, Hepburn holds the record for the most acting Oscar wins with four.
In addition to Stone, Bugonia features a strong supporting cast, including Jesse Plemons, marking the second collaboration between Plemons and Lanthimos. The film’s unique narrative and dark humor are resonating with audiences, positioning it for potential awards season success.
As Lanthimos takes a break from filmmaking, there are currently no upcoming projects for him or Stone, making Bugonia a focal point of their impressive careers.
With the holidays approaching, Bugonia may continue to build on its box office success, offering a fresh cinematic experience for viewers looking for something different this season. Keep an eye on this developing story as it unfolds in theaters nationwide!
