Dakota Johnston took the opportunity to moonlight as a moderator Friday night at a special screening, getting the chance to converse with: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, and Yorgos Lanthimos.  Johnston; who starred in Materialists and Splitsville earlier this year, poked fun at Stone and Lanthimos and their continued work together.  “Are you aware that there are other actresses, that are really talented, maybe even very close by?”

Johnston was pointing out the fact that Bugonia marks the 4th consecutive feature length film Lanthimos has directed Emma Stone in.  The duo has been in action dating back to 2018 with: The Favourite, Poor Things, Kinds of Kindness, and of course Bugonia.  Stone, who won an Academy Award for her performance in Poor Things, took time in the interview to point out the duality of perspectives an audience member could take upon a second viewing of Bugonia.

“I had never played a character that I thought about the audience seeing it for the second time before. Would it still make sense? Would it be able to track through if you were watching the film again, knowing what you know — like I did after reading the script for the first time — and have more to give or be interesting in some way? I don’t know that that was effective, but it was a really fun challenge.”

Nevertheless, Johnston viewed the film two times in 24 hours leading up to the interview and still quipped that she was the wrong person to moderate.

The two stars also took some time to discuss their unique hair journeys for this project.  Johnston commended Stone for her commitment to going bald for the role, in addition to being covered in blood and skin cream for large portions of the film.  Plemons; who also starred in Kinds of Kindness alongside Stone, discussed his experience repping hair extensions for his performance.  He detailed the uncertainty he felt at times and his memories airing these to Lanthimos.  The interview concluded with Johnston proclaiming that the interview was dreadful, but her costars in the affair jousted back at her.  Lanthimos stated, “I think you’re the third best moderator that we’ve had,” alluding to the fact that the trio were a part of a variety of panels that evening.