Bee Movie – – Bugonia – – (2025, USA, Color, 118 min) – – 26 February 2026

Recommended. Although it’s not explained in the script, “Bugonia” is an absurd belief that bees spontaneously arise from a rotting bovine carcass. If you know that going in, Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things) newish Best Picture-nominated feature, seems likely to be another satirical eco-conspiracy story. But halfway through, the tale turns bloody and dark. The ending is mildly surprising; I won’t spoil it herein . . . although I predicted it. With Lanthimos, you know that the surreal will overcome. That this goofy movie hold together at all is because of the splendid acting of Emma Stone (Poor Things) and Jesse Plemons (Black Mirror). By their characterization of a tech CEO and an eco-terrorist, respectively and both delusional, Stone and Plemons supply humorous authenticity, as assisted by a strong supporting cast, particularly newcomer Aidan Delbis. When the mood goes black – – then blacker – – credulity stumbles a bit, but overall Bugonia is an entertaining gore fest.