Continuing a look at my favorite movie music scenes of 2025…
Yesterday’s scene came from the opening of its movie. Today’s is on the other end of the spectrum, landing right at the end. So please be warned that MASSIVE SPOILERS for the movie Bugonia are present after the jump. If you intend to see the film, and want to go in unspoiled, stop reading now.
Yorgos Lanthimos’ Bugonia is about conspiracy theorist Teddy (Jesse Plemons), who is convinced that a pharmaceutical CEO (Emma Stone) is actually a member of an alien species intent on enslaving the human race.
Teddy kidnaps and tortures the CEO, who tries mightily to escape. She might be a soulless capitalist, but she earns our sympathy when victimized by a brand of internet-fueled wacko who has become all too familiar in recent years.
In the film’s final moments, however, we learn that Teddy was right, or at least partially right. The CEO is indeed the emperor of an alien race with control over the fate of humanity. But they are actually our creators, and have been gathering evidence to determine whether the species is worth saving.
Whether it’s due to her kidnapping, or just the general state of the world today, she decides to end the experiment. With the pop of a bubble, all human life on Earth ends.
And that’s where the music comes in. As Marlene Dietrich’s cover of Pete Seeger’s anti-war song ‘Where Have All the Flowers Gone?’ plays, Lanthimos’ camera pans across scene after scene of people who have instantly dropped dead. People of all ages, countries, and socioeconomic strata.
The sequence lasts as long as the song, and works a strange hypnotic magic. I could see how some viewers might think “ok, we get it” after awhile, but I found the images oddly beautiful. By depicting so much death, the film’s finale underscores the preciousness of life, and leaves you wondering why our species is seemingly content to squander it.
Where have all the flowers gone, long time ago?
Where have all the flowers gone?
Young girls picked them, every one!
When will they ever learn, when will they ever learn?
Where have all the young girls gone, long time passing?
Where have all the young girls gone, long time ago?
Where have all the young girls gone?
Gone to young men, every one!
When will they ever learn, when will they ever learn?
Where have all the young men gone, long time passing?
Where have all the young men gone, long time ago?
Where have all the young men gone?
Gone to soldier, every one!
When will they ever learn, when will they ever learn?
Where have all the soldiers gone, long time passing?
Where have all the soldiers gone, a long time ago?
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Gone to graveyards, every one!
When will they ever learn, when will they ever learn?
Where have all the graveyards gone, long time passing?
Where have all the graveyards gone, long time ago?
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Gone to flower, every one!
When will they ever learn, oh when will they ever learn?
Meet Me In Montauk 
I haven’t seen this movie yet and I’m not sure I will as I’m not a big fan of this director. That said, I do find the plot of this one rather compelling so maybe I’ll get around to it prior to the Oscars.
Thanks for sharing this song. I love how older recordings are given new life by their placement in contemporary movies/TV shows, etc. I wonder if Ms. Dietrich recorded this when Burt Bacharach was her music director? And I hope Pete Seeger’s heirs are reaping a tidy musical reward in sync placement royalties…
I am not a fan of this director either but it is an interesting concept. Thanks for letting me know what it’s all about. Not sure I will see it though 🤷🏻♀️ however this song is a perfect fit
Great write up – I thought Bugonia was such a standout film this year. It’s unique, an acting showcase and has a ton to say about the current state of things without feeling preachy. This song and montage worked perfectly for me. I loved the way the scale contrasted from being in a basement for the majority of the runtime to taking a fully global look at the consequences of our lead characters’ actions. Well worth the watch for anyone who is holding out!
As you might recall I was not a fan of this ending though I loved the film up to this point.
I found it over-the-top and redundant. Still – great film until the stupid ending. ;p