Bugonia Is As Weird As I Hoped, But I Didn’t Expect To Find The Main Characters So Interesting

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I’m a big fan of Yorgos Lanthimos’s films and have come to love his unique, quirky style. So, I was thrilled to see his newest movie, *Bugonia*, at the Chicago International Film Festival. It was even better than I’d hoped!

This might be one of my favorite films by Lanthimos, and I’d even say it’s among his best. I realize that’s a bold claim, but I especially appreciated how it felt a little more connected to reality than a lot of his other work. It was also surprisingly straightforward compared to some of his more puzzling movies, and I always enjoy a film with two equally awful main characters.

Warning: Bugonia spoilers are ahead. Proceed with caution.

I Thought Of Bugonia As A Villain Vs. Villain Story

I’ve been thinking about the characters in *Bugonia*, Michelle and Teddy, and while some people are calling them antiheroes, I honestly see them as straight-up villains. They’re not necessarily mustache-twirling evil, but their actions and what drives them just don’t feel based in anything good. It’s a different take, I know, but that’s how I read it.

Michelle leads a company that has profited from tragedy, and she shows little regret for the harm it has caused in her pursuit of wealth. Teddy believes he’s a hero by trying to stop Michelle and protect the environment, but his methods have also led to innocent deaths, suggesting his motives are driven by revenge. Ultimately, neither of them are admirable characters.

Michelle and Teddy are compelling characters because they have qualities of both villains and heroes. You can often sympathize with them, understand their reasons for acting as they do, and even feel for them. They genuinely believe they’re doing the right thing, making them villains with understandable motivations. What I found most impressive is how realistic and believable they are – they feel like fully developed people, and that makes them truly memorable villains.

Michelle and Teddy feel incredibly real, and that’s what makes them so unsettling. The most compelling villains are believable – you can understand how their experiences shaped them. They embody the kinds of antagonists we encounter in everyday life.

However, I Could Sympathize With Both Characters At Times

Michelle is kidnapped by a dangerous man who believes she’s an alien. It doesn’t matter if he’s right or wrong – Teddy still poses a serious threat to her life. The situation is especially frightening for Michelle because she’s being held captive by two men, facing the possibility of violence and torture. It’s impossible not to feel sympathy and fear for her.

Teddy’s erratic behavior stems from a deeply traumatic experience, compounded by his mother’s flawed choices and beliefs. This led him to find solace – and become lost – within the world of conspiracy theories. He’s easily influenced, emotionally fragile, and hurting, making it difficult not to sympathize with him, even if you disagree with his views. Ultimately, he was a lost person who simply took a wrong turn in life.

The most compelling villains are often those who feel realistically human. It’s unsettling to realize how easily someone – even yourself – could end up like them with a different set of circumstances. Maybe just one bad day could turn you into someone like Teddy, or a different upbringing could have led you down Michelle’s path. It’s easy to find a bit of yourself in their motivations. If you have a strong bond with your parents, you can understand Teddy’s extreme actions driven by love or a desire for revenge. And if you once had big dreams that didn’t pan out, causing unintended harm, you might empathize with Michelle.

You can be villains and still be very sympathetic.

Michelle And Teddy Are Both Complex And Dark, And That Really Ties Into One Of Bugonia’s Main Topics

As a movie fan, what really gets me about these characters is how understandable their actions are, even when they’re doing bad things. I see Michelle and Teddy as people who genuinely believe they’re trying to *save* the world, but their methods are just awful. They’re willing to use and even sacrifice others, thinking it’s for the greater good. And while what that ‘greater good’ looks like might be different for each of them, they both fundamentally believe the world is in trouble and needs fixing.

Bugonia presents a very pessimistic view of life and the world, essentially believing that Earth is beyond saving. Neither of the main characters, Michelle or Teddy, can change this fate, and despite their efforts, things will likely only get worse. Rather than offering hope, the movie focuses on accepting the inevitability of the world’s decline. While not uplifting, it’s a thought-provoking perspective.

I Didn’t Know Who To Root For Or Against

Throughout the film *Bugonia*, I kept flip-flopping between thinking Michelle was the main issue and then seeing Teddy as the bigger threat. I’d find myself wanting one of them to succeed while simultaneously hoping the other would fail. But ultimately, I realized this isn’t a story where you’re supposed to pick sides. Neither character is particularly likable, and trying to root for or against them doesn’t really matter. It’s more about experiencing the story as it unfolds.

Realizing these characters weren’t meant to be admired actually made playing *Bugonia* a lot more fun. I could simply enjoy their silly behavior.

Bugonia Really Made Me Think About The Concept Of The Monsters Made, Not Born

I don’t believe Teddy or Michelle are naturally bad people. I think difficult life experiences and societal pressures led them down a dark path. I’ve seen a couple of the big movies coming out in 2025, and a common idea in those films is that the world can corrupt people. Michelle, for example, seems to have become driven by money and lost track of what originally motivated her.

Teddy feels he’s been treated unfairly by Michelle’s company. He’s just an ordinary employee, and feels powerless to change anything. Both Michelle and Teddy are flawed people, shaped by difficult circumstances. Their paths seem destined for hardship, and Teddy’s background makes his situation particularly challenging.

I recently watched *Bugonia*, and wow, it’s a really compelling character study with a completely wild plot! It’s absolutely worth checking out, and honestly, just seeing Emma Stone with a shaved head is a moment. It’s actually made me want to go back and watch *Save the Green Planet!* – I’m curious to see how the two films compare.

Bugonia is playing nationwide.

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2025-10-19 02:15