Fans who attended a recent screening of the much-anticipated film Bugonia received quite the experience—both thrilling and slightly hair-raising. The buzz around the movie is undoubtedly positive, as those lucky enough to watch it hailed it as a wild ride worth the ticket. But for some, the evening might have brought them uncomfortably close to a different kind of adventure—one that involved hair clippers.
Focus Features cleverly marketed the screening by offering free entry to anyone bald or willing to go bald. This unique ploy tied into the plot of Bugonia, where Jesse Plemons’ character kidnaps Emma Stone’s and shaves her head to prevent her from communicating with her alien overlords. Yes, you read that right—aliens are a central theme in this thrilling tale.
An on-site barber even set up shop to help attendees shed their locks before the movie, with many embracing the opportunity to go bald. However, not everyone took the plunge.
Writer Demi Adejuyigbe brought the humor of the situation to social media, noting that the initial idea of the all-bald screening had to adapt as time progressed. “Friend’s boyfriend is at the all-bald screening of BUGONIA and apparently shaving heads took too long, so they’re passing out bald caps,” he tweeted. Can you imagine being the last person in line at the barber?
Even a popular meme account, Americana at Brand, shared images from the event where fans donned bald caps, revealing the fun twist the screening took. The community quickly embraced the humor and uniqueness of this approach.
Snuck into the hottest screening in LA… the all-bald screening of Bugonia: https://t.co/QFctMdEUnb pic.twitter.com/hY4C7aEtaV
— Americana at Brand Memes (@americanamemes) October 21, 2025
So, what actually went down at this event? Was the process of shaving too time-consuming, or did people opt for the bald caps to save time? Despite multiple inquiries to Focus Features and the film’s representatives, a clear answer was elusive.
However, the enthusiasm from attendees was palpable. The Los Angeles Times even captured the excitement in a video showcasing enthusiastic participants, some of whom were indeed brave enough to lose their hair. The video revealed that while bald caps were available, numerous attendees genuinely enjoyed the event and the film itself.
@latimes How committed to the bit are you? @rebecca stopped by a free special advanced screening of Yorgos Lanthimos’ new film, “Bugonia.” Attendees had to be bald, “or willing to become bald” with the help of an on-site barber.
It’s clear that anyone who chose to attend this event was ready for some fun—and probably a laugh or two. However, as Adejuyigbe mentioned, there may have been that one poor soul who fully embraced the barber’s chair, only to realize it wasn’t strictly necessary. Still, the good news is that attendees got to enjoy Bugonia—and for free, no less.
Set for a limited release this Friday before expanding its reach on October 31, Bugonia promises to offer not just an engaging storyline but also a memorable experience. Stay tuned for our upcoming review and an interview with the director, Yorgos Lanthimos.
Does this unconventional marketing strategy signal a trend for future film screenings? Only time will tell. The buzz surrounding Bugonia is sure to ignite conversation, so keep an eye out for the latest updates and explore more exciting content at Moyens I/O.