The Filmcast Ep. 848 - Bugonia
Nov 4, 2025
The hosts dive into Yorgos Lanthimos' latest film, Bugonia, exploring its conspiracy-driven plot and standout performances by Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons. They discuss their mixed reactions to the film's disturbing themes and its commentary on power and wealth. The conversation also touches on other intriguing films like Ballad of a Small Player and Monster: The Ed Gein Story, alongside personal updates, including David's move to Portugal and the fascinating differences in moviegoing culture there.
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Moving To Portugal And Small Wins
- David Chen moved to Portugal and describes the small daily victories of settling in, like picking up Amazon Spain deliveries and renting a car.
- He frames these mundane wins as exciting contrasts to his prior life near Amazon creators and shares enthusiasm about meeting local listeners.
Lanthimos Balances Accessibility With Disturbance
- David Chen says Lanthimos films produce a mix of accessibility and abject discomfort that unites audiences despite being unsettling.
- He argues that Begonia is approachable yet relentlessly unpleasant, showing Lanthimos' tonal range.
Consolidation Harms Creativity And Consumers
- The hosts warned that a Netflix–Warner merger would reduce studio diversity, raise prices, and concentrate creative power.
- They saw consolidation as harmful for creators and consumers despite corporate incentives to merge.
