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Emma Stone surprised reporters at the Venice International Film Festival by declaring her belief in extraterrestrial life while promoting her latest film Bugonia.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Aug. 28, the Academy Award winner, 36, was asked about the themes of her movie and offered a candid perspective. "It feels pretty narcissistic to think we're truly alone out here," Stone said. "So yes, I believe in aliens."
The actress, known for her playful wit, then leaned into the moment: "How do you know I'm not an alien?" she teased, sparking laughter among the assembled press.
Bugonia, directed by frequent collaborator Yorgos Lanthimos, follows two men who kidnap the powerful CEO of a corporation—played by Stone—believing she is an alien plotting humanity's destruction. The English-language remake of Jang Joon-hwan's 2003 cult classic Save the Green Planet! is scheduled for release in select theaters on Oct. 24, expanding nationwide on Oct. 31.
Stone reflected on the parallels between her character and modern celebrity life. "Everyone deals with the idea of perception now," she said. "On social media, you're an avatar to the world. There's me, and then there's the 'me' that people think they know. Separating the two has become a coping mechanism."
The press conference also touched on Stone's striking physical transformation for the role. Earlier this year, she debuted a buzz cut, later revealing the look was created live on camera during filming. "The first shower after shaving your head—there's no better feeling," she told Vogue.
Bugonia marks Stone's fourth collaboration with Lanthimos after The Favourite, Poor Things, and Kinds of Kindness. The film also reunites her with Jesse Plemons, who won Best Actor at Cannes earlier this year. Alicia Silverstone, Aidan Delbis, and Stavros Halkias round out the cast.
Stone's alien admission has already ignited social media, with fans debating whether her comments were playful banter or a glimpse into her genuine beliefs. Regardless, her ability to blend humor, vulnerability, and star power has ensured Bugonia's Venice debut will be one of the festival's most talked-about moments.
