Our take
Bugonia is rated R for bloody violence including suicide, grisly images, and language. Two men kidnap a CEO they believe is an alien; NZ and Irish boards cite torture, electrocution, and a rifle suicide with blood. Frequent f-word dialogue and dark conspiracy rants run through the satire. Only for mature viewers comfortable with extreme violence and mental-health themes
Uplifting themes
Anti-corporate themes exist, but tone stays bleak
Story (may spoil tone)
Two conspiracy obsessed young men kidnap the high-powered CEO of a major company, convinced that she is an alien intent on destroying planet Earth.
What we flagged
Scores are 0–5: 0 means none; 5 means the strongest we flagged in that category.
Details
Violence Kidnapping, beatings, gun threats, and fatal attacks turn graphic
Kidnapping, beatings, gun threats, and fatal attacks turn graphic
Language Relentless f-word and s-word during rants and captivity
Relentless f-word and s-word during rants and captivity
Sex / nudity Sex references and song lyrics; satire more than romance
Sex references and song lyrics; satire more than romance
Drugs / alcohol Vaping banter and opioid withdrawal medication come up
Vaping banter and opioid withdrawal medication come up
Frightening Captivity dread, demon taunts, and paranoia stay claustrophobic
Captivity dread, demon taunts, and paranoia stay claustrophobic
Self-harm / suicide On-screen rifle suicide and talk of eliminating suicidal traits
On-screen rifle suicide and talk of eliminating suicidal traits
Sexual violence Implied past abuse referenced in dialogue
Implied past abuse referenced in dialogue
Bullying / discrimination No bullying found in this title
No bullying found in this title
Gore / death / weapons Blood, decapitation talk, guns, and grisly injury detail
Blood, decapitation talk, guns, and grisly injury detail
Dangerous behaviour Kidnapping prep and fortress-building could glamorize extremism
Kidnapping prep and fortress-building could glamorize extremism
Eating disorders / body image No eating found in this title
No eating found in this title
Mental health Conspiracy fixation and captivity trauma drive the plot
Conspiracy fixation and captivity trauma drive the plot
Gambling No gambling found in this title
No gambling found in this title
Grief / bereavement A father's death and community loss fuel rage
A father's death and community loss fuel rage
Talk after watching
- The leads act on conspiracy beliefs. How can distrust become dangerous?
- The film satirizes corporate power. What makes activism turn harmful?