Podcast Summary

Podcast: All Of It (WNYC)
Host: Alison Stewart
Episode: Will Tracy Tackles Paranoia, Conspiracy, and Aliens in 'Bugonia'
Date: February 27, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features a deep dive into the making of Bugonia, a film exploring paranoia, conspiracy theories, and the murky boundaries between truth and delusion. Host Alison Stewart interviews Will Tracy, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter of Bugonia—adapted from the Korean film Save the Green Planet—about his process, cultural context, casting, and the film's resonances with today’s social anxieties. The conversation covers how pandemic lockdown influenced the writing, the current climate of conspiracy thinking, crafting complex characters, and working with director Yorgos Lanthimos.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Channeling Lockdown Isolation Into the Script (02:42–04:13)

• Will Tracy describes how the early COVID-19 lockdown shaped the script:
  • Had uninterrupted time to write, free from pressures of television work.
  • Experienced feelings of isolation, confusion, and mistrust—mirroring the movie’s characters.
  • Noted a “mass disassociation from reality” and eroding trust in institutions.
• Quote:

  “There was a kind of mass disassociation from reality that we were seeing in front of our eyes...And so maybe like Teddy a little bit, I had some of those feelings of looking for answers.”
  — Will Tracy (03:30)

Why Conspiracy Culture is So Prevalent (04:13–05:56)

• Tracy comments on the rise of conspiratorial thinking:
  • Points to growing distrust of mainstream media and manipulation by political actors.
  • Rejects the idea that all conspiracy theorists are simply “crazy” or “politically captured.”
  • Sought to approach the protagonist Teddy with empathy—he’s “not entirely wrong” about society’s issues.
• Quote:

  "This is a guy who has been properly abused by...big pharma, big tech, the police, capitalism generally, and...he's not entirely wrong about the way our society has become atomized."
  — Will Tracy (05:10)

Casting and the Complexity of Teddy (06:11–07:27)

• On Jesse Plemons’ performance as Teddy:
  • Tracy initially envisioned a “faceless” character, knowing casting can be uncertain.
  • Teddy needed to be by turns “menacing and scary,” “sweet,” and “authentically real.”
  • Plemons’ selection arose from director Yorgos Lanthimos—unconventional, but proved spot on.
  • Tracy affirms Plemons’ stature as a leading actor.
• Quote:

  “He's known for being this amazing kind of character actor...I always thought he could be a great lead actor, and Yorgos did, too.”
  — Will Tracy (06:56)

Writing for Multiple Viewings & Crafting Ambiguity (08:00–09:19)

• Building a film that rewards repeat viewings:
  • Actress Emma Stone focused on subtle cues that play differently on a second watch.
  • Tracy didn’t want the film’s twist to be a one-time trick, so concentrated on emotional and political textures over plot mechanics.
• Quote:

  “My worry is that once you know that reveal, I don’t want the movie to be like this toy...that once you know it, there’s no reason to see it again.”
  — Will Tracy (08:35)

Collaboration with Yorgos Lanthimos (09:19–11:27)

• Adapting the script to Lanthimos’ style:
  • Tracy admits he unintentionally created a “Yorgasian Orthamosian” script—one that shared Lanthimos’ sensibility.
  • Their collaboration grew out of shared views on humor and drama: always play it straight for the characters, no matter how absurd the scenario.
  • Avoiding arch or overly self-aware tones kept the emotional core intact.
• Quote:

  “The key to...good drama and good comedy ... even when the situations are extreme and absurd...is to play it straight...It's not a joke to them.”
  — Will Tracy (10:32)

Portraying Neurodivergence in Don (11:27–12:56)

• On Don, Teddy's cousin as the emotional anchor and as a neurodivergent character:
  • The script didn’t explicitly label neurodivergence, but left room for interpretation.
  • Newcomer Aiden Delbis’ casting prompted tweaks to fit his natural cadence and make the dialogue more organic.
• Quote:

  “I try not to...be too programmatic about type of actor to cast or...physical details...Once Aiden...came on board, yeah, I did a pass on the script for Aiden, but not to change the essence...”
  — Will Tracy (11:59)

Tracy’s Oscar Nomination Moment (12:56–13:48)

• Anecdote about learning of his Oscar nomination:
  • Was at home, just sent his kids off to school, and called his family to share the news.
  • Life quickly returned to normal domestic concerns (e.g., overcooking rice at dinner).
• Quote:

  “It’s not a life changing event. It’s sort of a day changing event for about an hour.”
  — Will Tracy (13:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On conspiratorial thinking:

  “It was important to me, writing the script, to approach Teddy with a certain degree of empathy...He’s not entirely wrong about the way our society has become atomized.”
  — Will Tracy (05:10)

• On acting the ambiguity:

  “Emma Stone saying...it was the first time for her...she had to think about her performance while in a scene, what an audience on the second viewing would be thinking.”
  — Will Tracy (08:19)

• On collaboration with Yorgos:

  “He wants to work with people who are...he can get along with...We both know that the key to...good drama and good comedy...is to play it straight.”
  — Will Tracy (10:32)

• On everyday life and awards:

  “It’s not a life changing event. It’s sort of a day changing event for about an hour...you very quickly snap right back into all your usual stuff, which I think is good.”
  — Will Tracy (13:44)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:42] — How COVID-19 lockdown fueled the writing process
• [04:13] — The climate of conspiracy theories, and Will Tracy’s perspective
• [06:11] — Casting Jesse Plemons as Teddy
• [07:38] — Clip from Bugonia: The “alien” basement scene
• [08:16] — Writing for multiple viewings and audience expectations
• [09:43] — How Yorgos Lanthimos joined as director and their creative synergy
• [11:41] — Portraying neurodivergence in Don and casting Aiden Delbis
• [13:01] — Tracy’s Oscar nomination story and response

Tone & Language

• Will Tracy’s responses are thoughtful, witty, and candid.
• The conversation balances seriousness (about paranoia, mental health, societal issues) with a self-aware humor and humility about creative work and awards.
• Alison Stewart adeptly guides the interview, asking insightful, open-ended questions.

Conclusion

This episode of All Of It offers a deeply human look at filmmaking under conditions of anxiety and uncertainty, underlining both the personal and societal undercurrents that shaped Bugonia. Will Tracy’s reflections shed light on the role of empathy in writing complex characters, the challenge and importance of rewarding repeated viewings, and the creative partnership with Yorgos Lanthimos. The discussion is enriched by thoughtful anecdotes and a behind-the-scenes glimpse at how art reflects and processes our collective paranoia.