I had the misfortune of watching Bugonia on Netflix on Saturday. It had a few Oscar nominations last year, so I thought it couldn't be all bad. But it is.
My fundamental issues:
* it never felt real, or convincing, in any respect. With the 2 male protagonists, I thought the autistic cousin felt very much like unconvincing acting; and the main lead - there was never any real explanation as to how he learned the great conspiracy secret that motivated him. I guess one could argue that the "not quite real" acting of Emma Stone was justified by the ending, and in that sense she did a good job, but the ending blows it in another way.
* It's supposedly a black comedy thriller? Well, it's certainly black, but I didn't feel any comedy landing at all. In fact, I would say it's hard to even identify the attempt at comedy, unless you feel the silly ending is one giant troll that made the movie a waste of time.
* The ending both looks like a troll but also meant to be showing some dark pessimistic message of the nature of humanity. That combination just doesn't work. (I have now read that it is a remake of a South Korean film - maybe it did the messaging much better?)
* As is usual with black comedy, I guess, no one is likeable. Maybe the autistic cousin could be, if I found his part better written and I didn't feel it was acting?
* The use of music was just - wanky pretentious? In fact, I think it's safe to say the whole movie is pretentious.
* A ridiculous amount of blood in one scene.
At least I am happy to see it didn't make much money - $43 million - so it was likely unprofitable. The audience has taste, sometimes.
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