One of 2025’s Most Anticipated Sci-Fi Movies Gets Great Rotten Tomatoes Score, Continuing 16-Year Trend

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Awards season is officially underway, with films from this fall’s festivals now appearing in cinemas. One of the most talked-about releases is Bugonia, the newest film from director Yorgos Lanthimos and actress Emma Stone. They previously collaborated on critically acclaimed movies The Favourite and Poor Things (which won Stone an Oscar), and audiences are eager to see if Bugonia will also be a contender for awards. Early reviews suggest critics are enjoying the film, but it remains to be seen how awards voters will respond.

Currently, Bugonia has a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 156 critic reviews, earning it the “Certified Fresh” designation. This continues a streak for director Yorgos Lanthimos: all of his films since 2009’s Dogtooth have received positive reviews. His very first film, Kinetta, is the only one that didn’t. Bugonia‘s score is comparable to his other critically acclaimed films, The Favourite (93%) and Poor Things (92%).

Critics agree that Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons deliver outstanding performances in Bugonia, a wildly entertaining film. Director Yorgos Lanthimos uses his unique style to explore the craziness of modern life.

What Critics Are Saying About Bugonia

The film Bugonia features Jesse Plemons and Aidan Delbis as cousins Teddy and Don, who believe corporate executive Michelle Fuller (played by Stone) is an alien sent to destroy the planet, leading them to kidnap her. Critics have especially praised the acting, with Plemons and Stone both considered potential Oscar nominees. The film largely focuses on the intense relationship and captivating performances of these two actors.

Yorgos Lanthimos is a director with a very recognizable style, and his new film, Bugonia, continues that trend. Some critics say it’s actually one of his most approachable movies, which should help it find a wider audience in theaters. However, longtime fans shouldn’t worry – it’s still distinctly Lanthimos. Bugonia is being praised for its clever and satirical take on society, blending humor with the bizarre in a way that feels very current. Reviews suggest the film is a great match for Lanthimos’ artistic vision, and he stayed true to that vision while telling this unusual story.

With strong acting and a gripping plot, Bugonia is shaping up to be one of the best sci-fi films of 2025, according to early reviews (particularly on Rotten Tomatoes). Several other big sci-fi releases this year, like The Electric State, War of the Worlds, and even the recent Tron: Ares, haven’t resonated with audiences or critics. While sci-fi fans look forward to a promising 2026, Bugonia offers a welcome treat. It will be fascinating to see how it compares to highly anticipated films such as The Running Man and Avatar: Fire and Ash when they are released later in the year.

While Bugonia isn’t currently considered a top contender for Best Picture (its distributor, Focus Features, also released the well-received Hamnet), it still has a strong possibility of earning nominations in key categories. Director Yorgos Lanthimos’ previous films have been popular with Academy voters, so even if Bugonia doesn’t win Best Picture, it could succeed in the acting and screenplay categories, potentially adding another win for Lanthimos and Emma Stone.

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2025-10-30 17:40