The Writer Discusses the Numerous Unexpected Twists of the Latest Sci-Fi Movie

Bugonia screenwriter Will Tracy has a hazy memory of what happens in the original Korean movie. This is somewhat unexpected, since he penned the screenplay for Yorgos Lanthimos’s new reimagining of the 2003 Korean dark sci-fi comedy. Instead of studying the source material for ideas, the screenwriter behind The Menu watched the film a single time, jotted down some thoughts, and started the process.

“I watched the original the one time,” the screenwriter says. “I couldn't clearly recall the film all that well. I didn't want to feel like I had to be slavishly following or remaking or honoring someone else's vision. The most respectful approach to both films was to have them be judged separately.”

While the premise of a emotionally troubled man (Jesse Plemons in the new version) who kidnaps a business leader he’s convinced is an alien in disguise is pretty much the same in each movie, the differences are considerable. Firstly, Tracy rewrote the lead role, originally male in the director's first version, as a female character. (The director cast his frequent collaborator the actress in the part.) The endings vary a bit as well, in the way they address their central question: Is the character an alien in disguise or not?

Tracy feels that answer is a bit not the main focus.

“I wasn't really concerned with the twist aspect,” he comments. “My intention wasn't for the movie to just be a toy that performs one surprise, and then once it does that surprise, it's like: Alright, so what's next?”

Nevertheless, Tracy has plenty to discuss on the subject. Our discussion with the writer touched on the film’s finale and what it all means, along with the methods he and the director worked together to bring those twists to life.

Warning: Full spoilers follow for the ending of the movie.

So is the character an alien or not an alien?

Short answer: Yes.

Just like in the original film, the end of Bugonia discloses that Stone’s character, a big pharma CEO named Michelle Fuller, is actually alien royalty in disguise. After tricking her captor Teddy (the actor) into ending his own life using her advanced device, Fuller transports to her alien vessel.

The reality that this is unexpected is a testament to her performance. Throughout the two-hour film, she maintains suspense through a layered portrayal that may require several rewatches to comprehend entirely.

“Emma talked a lot about how it was the first time she had to act where she felt she had to be aware of people watching the movie a second time. What the repeat viewers are going to perceive,” the writer explains. "She was aware the second time someone sees this movie, They are aware I am conscious of… you know?”

He trails off, before adding, “So she had to be aware this awareness in her performance.”

Creating the Andromedons and their vessel

After the CEO ultimately shows her real identity, we get a brief glimpse of her spaceship and other extraterrestrials before Bugonia ends. Their ship has a unique design, which the writer reveals was intended to look like a marine animal while steering clear of futuristic aesthetics.

“[The director] was really fascinated by almost like a jellyfish-type design for the vessel, something quite organic,” Tracy says.

The goal was for them to seem strangely somewhat tribal or primitive.

The Andromedons’ clothing is just as interesting as their vessel: bulbous robes made from thick, woven cords. Once more, the aim was to go against sci-fi movie tradition.

“For the costumes, instead of being futuristic, they [were meant to|aimed to] feel unusually kind of tribal or basic, and yet also quite ornate and sophisticated, because it's a very detailed and beautiful design on those unusual woven outfits,” Tracy states. He adds that the director “thought of it as being a very ancient civilization. He disliked the idea of any element being sleek and silver, or some ultra-modern cosmic vision.”

The end of the Earth (or only humanity)

Perhaps the biggest difference between the new film and the original is that in the original Korean movie, the aliens react to their leader's kidnapping and abuse by destroying planet Earth. This adaptation adopts a somewhat more nuanced method, with its aliens choosing to eliminate all mankind, while leaving the Earth and its remaining creatures unharmed.

“My intention to do in the script was a depiction of the planet after humanity,” the writer explains.

In the film's conclusion, we see a series of shots of existence across the globe. Every person are deceased where they were standing moments earlier, but the world keeps spinning. What we, as an audience, are meant to interpret all this is up for debate. Does the conclusion of the film optimistic or bleak? Are people doomed or worth saving? Would the world be better off without us?

The screenwriter isn’t willing to offer a clear resolution either way.

“Certain viewers see it as a extremely dark conclusion, or a sad finale, a despairing ending,” he states. “Other people view it as being a strangely optimistic or happy ending. I think there are various interpretations to read it.”

The film is currently in select cinemas at present, with a wide release on Halloween.