Fans of Emma Stone showed their dedication in a truly unique way on Monday night in Los Angeles. To attend an early screening of her upcoming sci-fi comedy “Bugonia,” moviegoers were required to shave their heads before entering the theater.
The unusual rule was part of a creative promotion organized by the film’s distributor, Focus Features. The company invited fans to go bald in exchange for early access to the highly anticipated film, which stars Oscar-winning actress Emma Stone and is directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. The duo is known for their acclaimed collaborations on “Poor Things” and “The Favourite,” both of which received multiple Oscar nominations.
“Bugonia” will open in select theaters this Friday before expanding across the United States on October 31.
A Bald Entrance for a Sci-Fi Comedy
At the Los Angeles screening, the lobby of the theater was turned into a mini barbershop. A barber was stationed in the foyer, ready to give eager fans a quick buzz cut before they entered the hall.
Among them was Sam Sherman, a local resident who said he was already thinking about shaving his head. “I saw a post about this and thought, that’s the perfect excuse,” Sherman said. “I wanted to see ‘Bugonia’ anyway, and now I get to watch it early, get a free haircut, and a free movie. It’s hard to say no to that.”
Another fan, Matthew Lopez, 29, said he loved the creative approach. “It almost feels immersive,” he said. “Emma Stone’s character has a shaved head in the film, and now I do too. It’s like being part of the story for a moment.”
For Richard Chong, 36, the event was an opportunity to try something new—and to please his family. “I really like the director; he’s strange but brilliant,” Chong said. “My friends and wife hate my bowl cut, so this is for them. They’re finally going to be happy!”
What ‘Bugonia’ Is About
In “Bugonia,” Emma Stone plays Michelle Fuller, a wealthy and powerful CEO of a pharmaceutical company. Her life takes a bizarre turn when she is kidnapped by two conspiracy theorist cousins who believe she is not human but an alien in disguise.
The film combines absurd humor, dark satire, and science fiction, exploring themes of power, belief, and identity—all trademarks of Lanthimos’ unique filmmaking style. During her time in captivity, Fuller’s captors shave her head as part of their attempt to “expose” her alien identity—a scene that inspired the movie’s promotional stunt.
The Stone–Lanthimos Collaboration
“Bugonia” marks the latest collaboration between Emma Stone and Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos, who have built one of the most interesting partnerships in modern cinema. Their last project, “Poor Things,” won the 2024 Academy Award for Best Actress for Stone and received widespread critical praise for its bold storytelling.
Before that, the pair worked together on “The Favourite” (2018), which earned 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. Fans have since followed their creative partnership closely, eager to see what unusual and thought-provoking story they deliver next.
A Fun and Bold Marketing Idea
The bald screening created buzz online, with fans sharing videos and selfies of their freshly shaved heads under the hashtag #BugoniaBaldChallenge. Many praised the marketing idea for being both fun and connected to the film’s storyline.
While shaving one’s head for a movie screening might not be for everyone, those who took part said it was worth it for the experience. As one attendee joked, “Hair grows back, but this kind of movie memory doesn’t come twice.”
“Bugonia” officially hits U.S. theaters on October 31, and with the excitement already building, it looks set to be another bold and quirky success for Stone and Lanthimos.