Are you a narcissist? Not believing in aliens makes you one, says Oscar-winning actress

Academy Award-winning actress Emma Stone has openly declared that she believes in the existence of extraterrestrial life. Speaking during the promotion of her new film Bugonia at the Venice Film Festival, Stone said that dismissing the possibility of life beyond Earth is, in her view, a narcissistic way of looking at the universe.

Linking her views to Carl Sagan

As per The Guardian, Stone explained that her belief is inspired by the late astronomer Carl Sagan, whose work explored the probability of life beyond our planet. She said she had long admired his scientific outlook and philosophical perspective, describing him as one of her favorite thinkers. According to Stone, Sagan argued that considering humanity to be the only form of life in an expansive universe reflects a self-centered mindset. The actress emphasized that she shared this view and firmly believes in the existence of other forms of life.

Stone’s remarks came while discussing Bugonia, a dark sci-fi comedy directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. In the movie, she plays Michelle Fuller, the CEO of a powerful pharmaceutical company who becomes the target of two conspiracy theorists, played by Jesse Plemons and Aidan Delbis. The pair are convinced that her character is an alien in disguise, plotting to destroy Earth. The film, which is a remake of the 2003 Korean production Save the Green Planet!, is set for release in UK cinemas this November.


Lanthimos, addressing the audience in Venice, noted that the film is less of a dystopian tale and more a reflection of the present day. He said the story highlights how humanity is currently facing challenges ranging from technological advances and artificial intelligence to wars and social desensitization.

Handling Fame and Identity

During the press conference, Stone was also asked how she manages life under the constant spotlight without feeling detached from herself. In response, she humorously suggested that perhaps she was an alien after all. She went on to reflect more seriously, saying that public perception often creates a version of her that feels separate from her private self. To stay grounded, she explained, she differentiates between the public figure seen by audiences and the person she is with her family and friends.

Stone, who won her first Academy Award for La La Land and another for Poor Things in 2023, has worked on a wide range of acclaimed projects, including Birdman and The Favourite. Alongside Bugonia, she has recently appeared in Ari Aster’s comedy thriller Eddington, where she starred with Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, and Austin Butler. Speaking to Extra, she said her decision to join the project was driven by the opportunity to collaborate with Aster, whose filmmaking style she greatly admires.