What is the connection between Emma Stone's new film "Bugonia" and the real-life murder of a healthcare CEO?

In "Bugonia," Stone plays a ruthless medical company CEO who is kidnapped by a conspiracy-obsessed employee, played by Jesse Plemons. Shockingly, the real-life murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson occurred just as filming wrapped in 2024, leading Stone to draw "terrifying" parallels between the film's plot and the tragic real-life events.

What is the film "Bugonia" about?

In "Bugonia," Emma Stone plays a ruthless medical company CEO who is kidnapped by a low-level employee (Jesse Plemons) who is convinced she is an alien sent to dismantle humanity. The employee holds the CEO captive and subjects her to bone-breaking torture, in a plot that has eerie parallels to the 2024 murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Telluride Fest Kicks Off with Captivating Performances and Chilling Parallels

Telluride Fest Kicks Off with Captivating Performances and Chilling Parallels

Q: How did the Telluride Film Festival kick off this year?

The 2025 Telluride Film Festival got off to a star-studded start, with acclaimed actors like Paul Mescal, Jeremy Allen White, and Elle Fanning gracing the mountain town. However, the most captivating story to emerge from the festival so far is the chilling connection between Yorgos Lanthimos' new film "Bugonia" and the real-life murder of a healthcare CEO.

30 Aug

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Summary

Emma Stone's new film "Bugonia" mirrors real-life healthcare CEO murder
Lanthimos' film depicts CEO kidnapping by conspiracy-obsessed employee
Shocking real-life events unfolded just as film wrapped production in 2024

Telluride Fest Kicks Off with Captivating Performances and Chilling Parallels

The 2025 Telluride Film Festival is off to a splashy start, with A-list stars like Paul Mescal, Jeremy Allen White, and Elle Fanning gracing the mountain town. However, the most captivating story to emerge from the festival so far is the chilling real-life parallels to Yorgos Lanthimos' new film "Bugonia," which premiered to high praise.

In the film, Emma Stone plays a ruthless medical company CEO who is kidnapped by a conspiracy-obsessed employee, played by Jesse Plemons. During a post-screening Q&A, Stone revealed that the plot bears striking similarities to the 2024 murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, which occurred just as filming wrapped.

"What's really crazy, after we had shot the film - I live in New York - we heard someone was shot up the street. It was a healthcare CEO. You know, because Luigi. You guys heard about this?" Stone told the audience, referring to the alleged killer, Luigi Mangione.

The Oscar winner said she found the "terrifying" parallels between the film's central storyline and the real-life tragedy deeply unsettling. "It keeps hitting you that the world is so deeply fraught and terrifying in so many ways," she concluded.

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