Emma Stone’s Bugonia Proves Hollywood Finally Found Its Next Stanley Kubrick

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The new Emma Stone film, currently playing in theaters, is already being hailed as a potential frontrunner for the best movie of the year. Director Yorgos Lanthimos, a celebrated Greek filmmaker, is known for consistently pushing creative boundaries with each of his ten feature films. Critics have noted striking similarities between his distinctive style and the work of the legendary Stanley Kubrick, particularly in his use of perfectly balanced visuals and a cool, objective narrative approach. Fans of Kubrick classics like A Clockwork Orange and 2001: A Space Odyssey will likely recognize the echoes of his influence in Lanthimos’s latest work.

Yorgos Lanthimos is releasing films at a rapid pace, with Bugonia being his third feature in three years, following Poor Things (2023) and Kinds of Kindness (2024). All three films star Emma Stone. Beyond consistent casting, Lanthimos is establishing a distinct filmmaking style, reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick. Bugonia especially highlights this style when compared to his previous work. Interestingly, Bugonia is a remake of the 2003 South Korean film Save The Green Planet!, which itself draws inspiration from 2001: A Space Odyssey to suggest that violence has always been a part of human development.

Emma Stone Stars in Yorgos Lanthimos’ Absurdist Comedy

Yorgos Lanthimos’s film Bugonia continues a pattern seen throughout his work, including his frequent choice of the same actors. This aligns with the ‘auteur’ theory – a concept in film studies, similar to authorship in literature – which suggests that when a director consistently drives the creative vision, a unique and recognizable style develops. Looking at his career, it’s evident that Lanthimos will be remembered as an ‘auteur’ – a filmmaker with a distinct visual and auditory fingerprint.

Like many successful filmmakers, he’s been inspired by those who came before him, often mentioning Luis Buñuel, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, and others as influences. Many viewers find his style particularly reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick.

Many critics see the influence of Stanley Kubrick in the films of Yorgos Lanthimos. While no one can truly replace Kubrick, Lanthimos’ style often draws comparisons, leading some to call him the modern Kubrick. This connection stems from a shared embrace of absurdity in filmmaking. Kubrick famously created the absurdist comedy Dr. Strangelove, and consistently used unusual characters and striking visuals in films like A Clockwork Orange and The Shining – elements also prominent in Lanthimos’ work.

Yorgos Lanthimos’ work can best be described as absurdism. His films consistently feature dark humor, strange environments, and characters who act in bizarre ways. He challenges audiences to think about society and the meaning of life, often by placing his characters in frustrating, illogical, or impossible scenarios. He uses techniques like satire, surreal imagery, and unexpected plot twists to create a sense that life is ultimately meaningless. These elements have been consistent throughout his filmmaking career of the past 24 years.

Watching Yorgos Lanthimos’s recent films, including his latest, Bugonia, it’s striking how often certain actors reappear. This repetition, especially with someone like Jerskin Fendrix, adds to the overall strangeness of his movies. Lanthimos frequently works with the same performers, turning their presence into a recognizable part of his style. Emma Stone, who has appeared in four of his films, is a prime example. He consistently challenges her with vastly different roles, allowing her to break free from being seen as just a comedic actress or the ‘girl next door’.

Playing a series of unusual characters has revealed a captivating new range for the actress, earning her a Best Supporting Actress nomination for the 2019 film Poor Things. Many now believe her latest film, Bugonia, will receive nominations in numerous categories at next year’s Oscars. It will be fascinating to see the director and actress continue to collaborate, and how those future projects shape her career.

Yorgos Lanthimos Is the New Stanley Kubrick

Beyond shared traits like absurdism and symmetrical shots, and the fact that both directors have worked with the same actors, there’s a strong connection between Yorgos Lanthimos and Stanley Kubrick. Lanthimos’s films often echo Kubrick’s work; for instance, The Killing of a Sacred Deer and Dogtooth present violence with the same cold, distant approach as A Clockwork Orange. Similarly, The Favourite uses satire to explore the traditions of European aristocracy, much like Kubrick’s films often examined societal structures.

Both Stanley Kubrick and Yorgos Lanthimos are known for their precise filmmaking styles and stories with a dark, often bleak outlook. While Kubrick focused on dramas, horror, and war, Lanthimos has increasingly worked with comedy. A key theme in Kubrick’s films is the idea that people are fundamentally dangerous and that evil can be subtle and complex. He often explored the motivations behind inexplicable behavior, the effects of isolation, and the impact of violence, betrayal, and trauma. Lanthimos’ film The Lobster, for example, shares similar themes of social isolation with Kubrick’s work, but presented through his own unique artistic vision.

Kubrick was known for his precise cinematography, favoring balanced compositions, a strong sense of perspective, bold colors, and dramatic actor positioning. These same stylistic choices are prominent in the films of director Yorgos Lanthimos, particularly those shot by Robbie Ryan, who has been Lanthimos’s frequent collaborator since The Favourite. Ryan’s relationship with Lanthimos mirrors the influential partnership between Stanley Kubrick and John Alcott – the cinematographer behind classics like 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, Barry Lyndon, and The Shining. Alcott received an Oscar for his work on Barry Lyndon, and it’s high time Robbie Ryan was similarly recognized for his exceptional contributions.

The film Bugonia shares an interesting connection with a particular Kubrick movie. Bugonia is a remake of the 2003 South Korean film Save the Green Planet!, which references 2001: A Space Odyssey when its CEO character explains the origins of life. By recreating the famous monolith scene, Save the Green Planet! emphasizes its theme that violence is inherent in human nature. Both Save the Green Planet! and Bugonia revisit the trope of the violent, unhinged character, similar to those found in Kubrick films like A Clockwork Orange and The Shining. While it might be a strong claim, Yorgos Lanthimos could be considered the modern equivalent of Stanley Kubrick given these connections.

As much as we all eagerly await each new Yorgos Lanthimos film, I recently read he’s planning a break! Apparently, all the work and promotion surrounding Poor Things (or Bugonia as it’s known elsewhere) left him feeling pretty burned out. He said he’s made too many films consecutively and needs time to recharge, both for his own well-being and to ensure his future work is its best. Honestly, after three decades of consistently brilliant filmmaking – starting with his short The Rape of Chloe back in ’95 – he’s absolutely earned it!

I’m a huge fan of Yorgos Lanthimos, and it’s amazing to think about everything he’s created – five short films, ten full-length movies, and even ten music videos! I thought he was going to take a break, but I just read he’s actually working on three new projects! Apparently, he’s planning to write and direct an adaptation of the novel Fatale from 1977, which sounds really exciting!

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2025-11-04 07:08