Emma Stone shaves head Bugonia—and this dramatic transformation came with a surprising demand from the Academy Award-winning actress. While preparing for the film, Stone insisted that director Yorgos Lanthimos join her in solidarity by also shaving his head, creating a memorable behind-the-scenes moment on set.
Shaving Heads Becomes a Bonding Moment on Set
In a behind-the-scenes clip, Stone disclosed her request:
“When I knew we were gonna do this…I said to [director Yorgos Lanthimos], ‘We’re gonna have to shave your head too so that we’re in solidarity.’ And he’s like, ‘Okay,’”
—Emma Stone, Actress. True to her word, Stone personally buzzed off Lanthimos’s hair, an experience she described in detail.
Reflecting on the moment, Stone shared:
“but it wasn’t as exciting as I thought it would be to shave his head. It was cool. But it felt more dramatic, my shave. I don’t mean to brag, but my hair was pretty long, and his was not.”
—Emma Stone, Actress. While Lanthimos took the change in stride, the event underscored the actress’s total commitment to the role.
Brief Look at Stone’s Role and the Film’s Theme
In Bugonia, Stone plays a pharmaceutical CEO who is abducted by conspiracy theorists, marking a plunge into dark comedy. The first trailer dropped in August and featured Stone’s signature red hair replaced by a completely bald scalp, set to the tune of Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe!”
Stone described the feeling of being bald as especially liberating, telling Vogue there’s
“no better feeling in the world”
—Emma Stone, Actress. She elaborated on the unique experience:
“The first shower when you’ve shaved your head? Oh my God, it’s amazing,”
—Emma Stone, Actress.
Embracing the New Look—On and Off the Screen
Though the role required her to go bald, Stone lamented not being able to display her new look in public more often.
“I was bummed I wasn’t going out with it,”
—Emma Stone, Actress. She wished she could have tackled public events “just straight-up bald,”—Emma Stone, Actress—considering it could have been enjoyable.
During filming, getting her hair shaved was woven into the storyline, with co-star Jesse Plemons handling the clippers on set. Plemons recalled the critical moment:
“It was like, ‘Here we go—Emily has shaved her head,’”
—Jesse Plemons, Actor.
Anticipation Builds for Bugonia’s Release
Emma Stone’s transformation has fueled rising excitement for Bugonia and its unconventional narrative. Her willingness to ask director Yorgos Lanthimos to shave his head with her highlights the intense trust and camaraderie among the cast and crew. With Stone’s bold step and support from co-stars like Jesse Plemons, audiences are eager to see the film’s impact when it premieres.
