Yorgos Lanthimos Takes a Much-Needed Break After Another Award-Worthy Film with Emma Stone
Renowned filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos is back with yet another critically acclaimed film, featuring the talented Emma Stone for the third year in a row. Following the wide release of his latest movie, Bugonia, on October 31, Lanthimos has expressed the need for a well-deserved break. The five-time Oscar nominee shared that he plans to take some time off after the success of his previous two films, Poor Things (2023) and Kinds of Kindness (2024).
In a candid interview with Collider, Lanthimos stated, "Well, I can’t keep doing that anymore. [Laughs] That’s what we’re certain of right now. It’s a big mistake. I think I need a break. I’ve said that before in between the other three, but I’m serious now. You can hold me to it. I’m going to take a little break."
This upcoming hiatus follows the impressive accolades garnered by Poor Things, which earned Lanthimos Academy Award nominations for Best Picture and Best Director, while Emma Stone took home the Best Actress award. The dynamic duo also collaborated on Kinds of Kindness during the post-production phase of Poor Things.
Lanthimos elaborated on his filmmaking process, saying, “I decide which film to make every time a script is ready, so when it is ready, and we’ve been working on something for such a long time, it just feels like a shame to just leave it there and wait.” He admitted that he often felt compelled to dive into new projects immediately after completing others. “We shot Kinds of Kindness during that very long period of VFX on Poor Things, so I felt that I needed to do something during that time. Then, with Bugonia, I had read the script three years ago. After working with Will [Tracy] to refine it, it felt ready, and we just wanted to make it,” he explained.
However, Lanthimos recognizes that even the most passionate creators have their limits. “You find the will and the strength, but at some point, it runs out. We’re at that point.”
Bugonia, now playing in select theaters, follows two conspiracy theorists, portrayed by Jesse Plemons and Aidan Delbis, who kidnap a powerful CEO (Emma Stone), convinced that she is an alien intent on destroying Earth.
As Lanthimos prepares to step back from the spotlight for a while, fans eagerly await what new ideas will emerge from his creative mind upon his return.
