An exclusive showing of Emma Stone’s latest film, Bugonia, demands a unique entry requirement: attendees must be bald. In this film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, Stone portrays the formidable CEO Michelle Fuller, who is abducted by two individuals, portrayed by Jesse Plemons and Aidan Delbis, who believe she is extraterrestrial and consequently shave her head.
After its debut at the 2025 Venice International Film Festival, Bugonia garnered rave reviews and currently boasts a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film is set for a limited release on October 24 and a nationwide release on October 31.
Prior to its official theatrical debut, a peculiar screening is scheduled at the Culver Theater in Los Angeles on October 20. Here, all guests must be bald or agree to have their heads shaved, mirroring Stone’s character in the film. A professional barber will be available from 6:00 p.m. at the venue to shave heads before the film starts at 8:00 p.m.
Ticket holders for the Bugonia bald screening should note that seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Only individuals aged 18 and above can attend, and parts of the screening event will be recorded.
This bald screening is a part of the film’s inventive promotional strategy, which previously included a fictional conspiracy-themed website suggesting Stone’s character, Fuller, is an alien from Andromeda. Additionally, in New York and Los Angeles, billboards depicting Fuller were defaced with graffiti labeling her “Andromedan Filth” and urging people to “Join the Human Resistance.”
While these earlier promotions focused more on the conspiracy elements of the film, the bald-only screening emphasizes the absurdity and dark humor of the movie. For her role in Bugonia, Emma Stone shaved her head, and now, viewers at this special screening will follow suit.
This unique marketing has also served to heighten anticipation for Stone’s fourth project with Lanthimos, following their collaborations on The Favourite (2018), Poor Things (2023), and Kinds of Kindness (2024). Stone’s performance in Poor Things previously earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
With her role in Bugonia, Stone is again considered a top contender for the Best Leading Actress at the 2026 Oscars, potentially her third win following earlier victories for La La Land and Poor Things. The special screening at Culver Theater offers attendees a deeper connection to the film and a glimpse into Stone’s preparatory process by experiencing the film as Stone’s character would.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
