Fans shave heads for early screening of "Bugonia" in LA

Fans gathered for a unique early screening of the absurdist sci-fi comedy film “Bugonia” on Monday night in Los Angeles, with one distinctive requirement: attendees had to be bald. The challenge, issued by the film's distributor Focus Features, encouraged fans to shave their heads to gain entry to the screening of the movie, which stars Emma Stone.

Director Yorgos Lanthimos, who has a strong following after collaborating with Stone on Oscar-nominated films like “Poor Things” and “The Favourite,” is at the helm of this project. "Bugonia" is set to be released in select theaters on Friday, with a wider U.S. release slated for October 31.

In “Bugonia,” Stone portrays Michelle Fuller, a powerful pharmaceutical CEO who is kidnapped by two conspiracy theorist cousins convinced she’s an alien—leading them to shave her head in the process.

At the screening, a barber was available in the foyer, allowing fans like Sam Sherman to get buzz cuts for entry. “I was already thinking of shaving my head,” Sherman remarked. “I saw a post about this and thought, that's a perfect excuse... I get to see it two weeks early and get a free haircut and a free movie. It's hard to say no to that.”

Matthew Lopez, 29, said the bald screening inspired by Stone’s shaved head felt immersive, allowing him to connect more closely to the story: “It’s almost feeling immersive, like, ok, 'I did it, she did it.' I can feel some connection to the story.”

For Richard Chong, 36, it was an opportunity to satisfy his friends and family. “I like the director. I think he’s really good, very weird, and my friends hate my bowl cut, so this is for them, also my wife, she really hates it,” he shared.

The creative promotional strategy not only excited fans but also fostered a sense of community around the film's themes.