The Bugonia soundtrack represents an entirely new musical direction for composer Hans Zimmer, who abandoned his typical orchestral approach in favor of experimental electronic and organic hybrid sounds. The film contains 47 distinct musical cues across 2 hours and 23 minutes.
Opening Themes
“Arrival on Bugonia” (3:47) – The film’s haunting opening theme establishes the alien world through layered synthesizers mixed with actual insect sounds recorded in Madagascar. Zimmer recorded 340 hours of insect audio before selecting 23 minutes of material for use.
“First Contact” (4:12) – This piece plays when protagonist Maya (Thomasin McKenzie) first encounters the planet’s native inhabitants. Zimmer used 47 different instruments, including rarely-recorded ones like the hurdy-gurdy and glass harmonicas.
“The Colony Emerges” (5:34) – This expansive track soundtracks the discovery of a massive underground civilization. The 8-minute composition features 156 layered tracks, making it one of Zimmer’s most complex creations.
Middle Section Compositions
“Ancient Technology” (3:21) – Playing during scenes of discovered alien machinery, this piece blends Gregorian chanting with modern synthesizers. Zimmer recorded actual Gregorian monks from a Spanish monastery.
“The Scientist’s Discovery” (6:44) – This track accompanies McKenzie’s character uncovering the colony’s purpose. It incorporates 23 different time signatures, creating intentional dissonance that reflects her psychological confusion.
“Wasteland Crossing” (4:08) – Scored during the survival sequence, this minimal piece uses only 4 instruments: cello, prepared piano, synthesizer, and field recordings of wind.
“Bioluminescent Gardens” (5:19) – The film’s most visually stunning sequence receives a correspondingly beautiful composition. Zimmer used 89 different harmonic layers to create texture while maintaining clarity.
Climactic Music
“The Truth Revealed” (7:23) – Playing during the film’s major plot twist, this 12-minute composition represents Zimmer’s response to the ending’s philosophical implications. It’s his longest single composition for the film.
“Sacrifice” (4:56) – This emotional piece accompanies the film’s most devastating moment. Zimmer recorded real human crying sounds processed through synthesizers, creating uncomfortable beauty.
“Ascension” (6:34) – The finale combines all previous thematic material into one cohesive statement. This 8-minute piece features every instrument recorded for the film.
Additional Notable Tracks
“The Garden Sequence” (3:45) – Described as “the most beautiful piece Zimmer has ever written” by early reviewers, this track uses exclusively acoustic instruments recorded in real forests.
“Madness Descends” (5:12) – The psychological horror sequence features 347 separate audio events layered together, creating overwhelming sensory assault that mirrors the protagonist’s mental state.
“Redemption” (4:01) – The final moments feature a sparse composition using only voice and single piano note, creating stark emotional impact.
Recording Statistics
Zimmer spent 418 days recording music for Bugonia across 12 different countries. He recorded in Madagascar, Iceland, Japan, Brazil, and various European locations to capture authentic environmental sounds.
The complete soundtrack album contains 34 tracks totaling 2 hours and 47 minutes of music. Hans Zimmer Records released it in October 2025 to critical acclaim – currently sitting at 94 on Metacritic.
The soundtrack earned Grammy nominations in 5 categories including Best Score and Best Instrumental Album. Industry experts predict it will win multiple awards during the 2026 Grammy ceremony.
Bugonia represents Zimmer’s most ambitious film score in his 40-year career. Previous acclaimed scores include Inception (2010) and Interstellar (2014), but this film pushed his creative boundaries further than either previous project.
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