By Entertainment Desk | August 29, 2025
VENICE, Italy — Oscar-winning actress Emma Stone made waves at the Venice Film Festival on Thursday, August 28, 2025, when she openly confessed her belief in extraterrestrial life during a press conference for her latest film, Bugonia. The 36-year-old star, known for her roles in films like La La Land and Poor Things, quipped that the notion of humans being alone in the universe is “pretty narcissistic,” drawing inspiration from renowned astronomer Carl Sagan.
The revelation came amid promotions for Bugonia, a black comedy directed by Yorgos Lanthimos—Stone’s frequent collaborator and the director behind her Academy Award-winning performance in Poor Things. In the film, Stone portrays a high-powered CEO kidnapped by two conspiracy-obsessed young men who are convinced she is an alien plotting to destroy Earth. The movie, an English-language remake of the 2003 South Korean sci-fi comedy Save the Green Planet!, also stars Jesse Plemons, Alicia Silverstone, Aidan Delbis, and Stavros Halkias. It is set for a limited theatrical release on October 24, 2025, followed by a wide release on October 31.
During the press conference at the Palazzo del Casinò on the Lido di Venezia, a journalist posed a question about the existence of an “ultimate intelligence looking down on us and maybe saving our lives,” tying into the film’s otherworldly themes. Stone responded thoughtfully, referencing Sagan, whose PBS series Cosmos profoundly influenced her. “One of my favorite people who has ever lived is Carl Sagan, and I fell madly in love with his philosophy and science and how brilliant he is,” she said. “He very deeply believed the idea that we’re alone in this vast expansive universe—not that we’re being watched—is a pretty narcissistic thing to think. So yes, I’m coming out and saying it: I believe in aliens!”
The audience erupted in laughter as Stone waved theatrically, adding a lighthearted touch to the discussion. She even joked, “How do you know I’m not an alien?” before elaborating on the challenges of fame and maintaining authenticity in the public eye. “There’s the person who comes here and then there’s the person I am with my friends and family. They’re the same person, but it’s what I do to keep myself sane,” she explained, touching on the self-reflection amplified by social media.
Lanthimos, who has directed Stone in four films over the past few years—including The Favourite (2018), Poor Things (2023), which premiered at Venice and won the Golden Lion, and Kinds of Kindness (2024)—responded playfully to the alien question. “That’s a very complicated question to answer in a serious way,” he said, opting not to commit to a stance. The director, who wore a Palestine pin at the event, emphasized the collaborative nature of his work with Stone, noting that she trusts his vision implicitly.
Stone also shared details about her bold transformation for the role: shaving her head on camera, which she described as “so much easier than any hairstyle” and “amazing” for the first post-shave shower. The actress, who debuted a pixie cut at the January 2025 Golden Globes, called the experience refreshing and a nod to her character’s bravery.
The Bugonia press conference has sparked widespread buzz on social media, with fans and outlets sharing clips of Stone’s declaration. On X, posts from accounts like @FilmUpdates and @Variety quickly went viral, amassing thousands of likes and reposts. One user quoted her directly: “The idea that we are alone in the vast experience of the universe is a pretty narcissistic thing to think,” highlighting the philosophical undertones of her statement.
This isn’t the first time Stone and Lanthimos have brought their unique brand of quirky, thought-provoking cinema to Venice. Poor Things not only earned Stone her second Oscar but also solidified their creative partnership. As Bugonia premieres in competition tonight, August 28, it continues their streak of boundary-pushing films that blend humor, absurdity, and human depth.
Stone’s candid comments on aliens align with a growing cultural fascination with extraterrestrial life, fueled by recent UFO disclosures and scientific advancements in space exploration. Her endorsement of Sagan’s views—echoing his famous line about the universe’s vastness making human solitude improbable—adds a layer of intellectual intrigue to the film’s promotional tour.
As the 82nd Venice International Film Festival continues through September 6, 2025, all eyes are on Bugonia to see if it can replicate the success of its predecessors. For now, Stone’s “coming out” as an alien believer has certainly made her the talk of the Lido.
Follow the festival highlights and reactions on X for more from Venice 2025.