Emma Stone has faced criticism following remarks she made about her new film Bugonia and its perceived parallels with the high-profile Luigi Mangione case.
During a Q&A session at the Telluride Film Festival on August 30, Stone spoke about the unsettling similarities between the film’s narrative and real-life events. In Bugonia, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, she plays a healthcare executive abducted by a disgruntled employee, portrayed by Jesse Plemons.
Stone referenced Mangione, who has been accused of fatally shooting United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel in December 2024. Mangione, who pleaded not guilty, is facing the possibility of the death penalty, according to federal prosecutors.
“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 audiences.
Her comments prompted criticism online, with some social media users calling them “out of touch” and accusing the actress of insensitivity. One user wrote: “Wow, she’s ignorant,” while another accused her of condescension, suggesting she assumed audiences were unaware of the case.
Despite the backlash, Bugonia has received critical praise. Reviewers have highlighted it as a dark, genre-shifting film, with Stone’s performance described by Time as “laceratingly funny and bracingly convincing.” Lanthimos himself noted that much of the film’s dystopian feel is drawn from real-world issues, stating: “Not much of the dystopia in this film is fictional.”
Stone also recently revealed she shaved her head for the role, describing the transformation as unforgettable and linking it emotionally to her mother’s cancer treatment.
Bugonia continues its festival run ahead of wider release, while debate around Stone’s remarks remains ongoing.
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