The buzz surrounding Yorgos Lanthimos’s next cinematic puzzle, ‘Bugonia’, is already reaching a fever pitch. After the phenomenal success of Poor Things, the reunion of the maverick director with stars Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons promises another weird and unsettling ride. While the performances will be a main draw, the film’s meticulous production design is shaping up to be its most crucial character.
We spoke with visionary Production Designer Alistair Finch for an exclusive look at his work on the film. He detailed the intricate process behind ‘Bugonia’s’ production design, on building the ranch house, creepy basement, Emma Stone’s office, and hiding clues in plain sight to create a world that is both beautiful and deeply disturbing.
The Ranch House: A Sun-Drenched Cage
The central location of the film is a remote, sprawling ranch house, a place that Finch describes as “intentionally deceptive.”
“Yorgos wanted a space that felt both like a sanctuary and a prison,” Finch explains. “On the surface, it’s this beautiful, rustic American dream. We used a lot of natural wood, warm tones, and large windows that flood the place with light.” The visual storytelling, however, tells a different story. “The layout is subtly labyrinthine. The hallways are just a little too long, the ceilings a touch too low. You feel the isolation. It’s a beautiful place to be trapped, and that contradiction is at the heart of the story.”
The team built the structure from the ground up, allowing them to control every detail and ensure the house itself reflects the slow-burning tension between the characters.
Down Below: The Claustrophobic Basement
Every idyllic ranch house has its dark underbelly, and in ‘Bugonia’, that is the creepy basement. Finch’s eyes light up when he talks about this particular set. “Ah, the basement,” he chuckles. “It’s the subconscious of the house. In direct contrast to the sunlit rooms above, this space is tight, damp, and chaotic.”
He reveals that the set was designed to be claustrophobic, with exposed pipes and stone walls that feel like they’re closing in. “It’s not a jump-scare kind of creepy,” Finch clarifies. “It’s a psychological dread. It’s where things are stored and forgotten, both physically and metaphorically. The objects down there are a graveyard of past secrets, and their arrangement is anything but random.”
Emma Stone’s Office: Order on the Brink of Chaos
As one of the lead characters, Emma Stone’s office was a critical piece of the design puzzle. Her meticulously curated workspace speaks volumes about her character’s state of mind.
“Her character is a scientist, someone who craves order and explanation in a world that’s becoming increasingly illogical,” says Finch. “Her office reflects that. Everything is organized, labelled, and seemingly perfect. We spent weeks sourcing specific entomology books, scientific diagrams, and research materials relevant to the film’s themes.”
But a closer look reveals the cracks. “A stack of papers is slightly askew. There’s a coffee stain on a crucial document. It’s a portrait of a brilliant mind trying to maintain control as chaos encroaches. The set design tells her story before she even says a line.”
Hiding Clues in Plain Sight
Perhaps the most tantalising detail Finch shared is the film’s commitment to environmental storytelling. The entire production design is layered with symbols and motifs that reward the attentive viewer.
“This is a Yorgos Lanthimos film,” Finch states. “Nothing is accidental. The pattern on the wallpaper, the choice of a specific painting in the background, a recurring geometric shape… it all means something. We worked to embed the film’s central mystery into the very fabric of the sets.”
He advises audiences to watch the film more than once. “The first time, you’ll follow the characters. The second time, watch the rooms they’re in. The house is telling you the story, too. The clues are right there, hidden in plain sight.”
As we await the release of ‘Bugonia’, it’s clear that Lanthimos and his team have built more than just a movie set; they’ve constructed a living, breathing enigma. Be prepared to not just watch the film, but to investigate it.
