You know that friend or relative, who having experienced a traumatic life event, has gone off the deep end, and is convinced that the conspiracy theory they’ve concocted as their safety net is 100% true? That’s essentially the premise of “Bugonia” (Focus), the latest from prolific filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos.

Some facts worth mentioning first. “Bugonia” is an English-language remake of a 2003 South Korean movie titled “Save the Green Planet!” Also, the title “Bugonia,” is related to an ancient ritual involving beekeeping and cow carcasses.

Teddy (Jesse Plemons, starring in his second Lanthimos film) and his autistic cousin Don (autistic actor Aidan Delbis) live in isolation in a rundown house not far from the headquarters of biotech behemoth Auxolith. Teddy, who works in shipping at the Auxolith warehouse, is having a kind of mental breakdown due to his comatose mother Sandy (Alicia Silverstone) being in a long-term care facility following her addiction to opioids manufactured by, you guessed it, Auxolith.

Teddy’s plan? To kidnap Michelle, Auxolith’s Mercedes G-class-driving CEO  (Emma Stone, starring in her fourth Lanthimos feature). Partly because he holds her responsible for his mother’s condition, but mainly due to his belief that Michelle is actually an alien from Andromeda, who has enslaved every earthling on the planet. Teddy’s demands? That Michelle not only admits to being an alien, but also that she makes arrangements for her mothership’s return, so that Teddy can complete his mission to save the planet and reverse the colony collapse disorder killing bees.

Oh, but the complications. Cutthroat Michelle is a worthy adversary and puts Teddy through his paces. While we aren’t necessarily rooting for her, it is shocking what she endures. Don, who is devoted to Teddy, assists him with his beekeeping, as well as Michelle’s abduction. But you can tell that he’s not entirely convinced about the events taking place.

Then there’s the local sheriff, Casey (Stavros Halkias), Teddy’s former babysitter, who is constantly apologizing for something unseemly that occurred in the past. His unexpected appearance at Teddy’s house as part of an investigation into missing CEO Michelle sets off a chain reaction that leads to a devastating series of brutally depicted events.

However, it’s the ultra-bizarre conclusion, that takes “Bugonia” to an entirely unpredictable level. Combining pitch-dark humor, outrageous effects, intensely dramatic situations, and stellar performances, it probably won’t be to everyone’s liking, but for those willing to step outside of their comfort zone, it has a powerful sting. 

Rating: B