Want to see Emma Stone’s new film Bugonia before it hits theaters nationwide on October 24th? The film, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, will be shown in advance in Los Angeles on Monday, October 20th at 8pm, but there’s a catch. To attend Monday night’s screening at the Culver Theater, everyone in the audience must be bald or have their heads shaved to enter the venue.
DoLA posted the screening terms on its Instagram page on Oct. 17, saying, “Are you bald or willing to shave your head? Head to the Culver Theater on Monday, Oct. 20 for a free advance screening of Bugonia, director Yorgos Lanthimos’ new focus feature fever dream starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons.”
The post goes on to say that a barber will be on site starting at 6 p.m. to shave the heads of participants who have hair. It also clarifies: “This is real. And yes, some of it will be filmed.”
Screenings are free for hairless people, but tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and RSVPs are required. Audience members must be 18 years or older to attend the event.
This bizarre requirement is an homage to Emma Stone’s character in the film, a bald CEO who is kidnapped by suspected aliens. In addition to Stone and Plemons, the film also stars Aidan Delvis, Stavros Halkias, and Alicia Silverstone.
Bugonia premiered at the Venice Film Festival in August and has since led a thorough festival run, screening at Telluride, San Sebastian, AFI, Busan and more in advance of its upcoming release. This is Lanthimos and Stone’s fourth collaboration, following 2018’s “The Favourite,” 2023’s “Poor Things,” and 2024’s “Kinds of Kindness.” Stone was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Favourite and won Best Actress for Poor Things.