Bug (2006)

An unhinged war veteran holes up with a lonely woman in a spooky Oklahoma motel room. The line between reality and delusion is blurred as they discover a bug infestation.

Director:

William Friedkin

Writers:

Tracy Letts (screenplay), Tracy Letts (play)

Stars:

Ashley Judd, Michael Shannon, Harry Connick Jr.

1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ashley Judd	...	Agnes White
Michael Shannon	...	Peter Evans
Harry Connick Jr.	...	Jerry Goss
Lynn Collins	...	R.C.
Brían F. O'Byrne	...	Dr. Sweet
Neil Bergeron	...	Man in Grocery Store
Bob Neill	...	Pizza Harris (voice)

Storyline

Having escaped her abusive ex-husband Goss, recently released from state prison, Agnes, a lonely waitress with a tragic past moves into a sleazy, rundown motel. Her lesbian co-worker R.C. introduces her to Peter, a peculiar, paranoiac drifter and they begin a tentative romance. However, things aren't always as they appear and Agnes is about to experience a claustrophobic nightmare reality as the bugs begin to arrive...

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Plot Keywords:

breast sucking | power of suggestion | based on play | male frontal nudity | bare breasts | 

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Taglines:

Paranoia is contagious.

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

14A

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title's (mis)translation in Russia is "Glitches"

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Goofs

For almost the whole movie the front door of the motel opens to the outside, but in the last few scenes (room wrapped in tin foil) the front door opens to the inside.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[phone rings]
Agnes White: Hello? Hello?
[hangs up]
Agnes White: Bastard!

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Crazy Credits

There is a short scene after the first part of the credits, a telephone rings during the credits, and a brief shot after the credits end.

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Connections

Featured in WhatCulture Originals: 10 More Underrated Horror Movies You Need To Watch (2019)

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Soundtracks

Socios
(2005)
Written by Manuel Eduardo (as Manuel Eduardo Toscano)
Performed by Los Tigres del Norte
Courtesy of Fonovisa Records

User Reviews

BUG is how theater should exist on film

I'll just come out and say it – I love this movie. But is it a movie? I can't really answer that. Honestly, this doesn't really feel or play out like a movie but maybe that's just me. Keep a few things in mind: this is based on a stage play, the screenplay was written by the author of the play, Friedkin is a big fan of the play, and the lead (Michael Shannon) is from the original production of the stage play. Got that? Good. You know how they say Sam Mendes brings "theater" to the "big screen" (and I say F that) - well, BUG is how theater should exist on film. I don't know, maybe I'm over analyzing. But while I'm over analyzing I'll throw this out there - Michael Shannon gives one of the best performances I've seen in a long time. And screw it - Ashley Judd really surprised me in this too. Harry Connick Jr. is a little dead weight but you can't win 'em all Harry. Mix some old Cronenberg with a pinch of Lynch (can I coin that?), throw it on an Off Broadway stage and see what sticks, then have Friedkin direct it and you've got BUG.

Details

Country:

USA Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 May 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bug

Filming Locations:

Olancha, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,245,556, 27 May 2007

Gross USA:

$7,025,810

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$8,095,658

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lions Gate Films, L.I.F.T. Production, DMK Mediafonds International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1