Folks on polar opposites of debates these days find themselves talking over and past one another with such gusto and conviction, that one individual could perceive an enemy is actually an alien invader. Few forces of nature can burst these righteous, respective belief bubbles. The Yorgos Lanthimos-directed Bugonia (C+) centers on two conspiracy-obsessed men (Jesse Plemons and newcomer Aidan Delbis) who kidnap the smooth-talking CEO of a major pharma company (Emma Stone) after they become convinced her corporation’s products have hurt their family and that she’s also, naturally, an extraterrestrial intent on destroying Earth. This odd allegory continually blends an amusing talkiness with fantastical elements, which makes for a confounding and sometimes curious tone. The script largely fail to rise to the level of the filmmaker’s ambitions, but the performances are phenomenally unhinged. Plemons blithely inhabits his bonkers persona, utterly committed to his provocative role as shaggy myth-monger. Stone is on a tricky high-wire act trying to convince her captor to compromise; in her knowing nuances, she showcases why she is one of the most fascinating and nuanced actresses working today. The film has many intriguing passages and a rousing score by Jerskin Fendrix, but it’s ultimately a triumph of acting over cogent storytelling.