Kinds of Kindness
Released June 21, 2024
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos
Written by Yorgo Lanthimos and Efthimis Filippou
* No Spoilers *
Yorgos Lanthimos is a twisted genius, with a mind that concocts the most fascinating and disturbing stories. Having seen his previous films, I am definitely not always enjoying the experience but I am compelled every time. His work is utterly unpredictable and unhinged and if you’ve seen even one of his films, you know exactly what I mean.
His latest film, Kinds of Kindness, is actually three shorter films packaged into a 2-hour and 44-minute triptych. I struggled to find a cohesive narrative through-line connecting the three stories but they are each as fascinatingly disturbing as any of his other work. All three stories star the same cast playing vastly different roles — each as deranged and peculiar as any other Lanthimos character.
Photo by Yorgos Lanthimos. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2024 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.
The principal cast features Jesse Plemons (Civil War), Willem Dafoe (The Lighthouse), Emma Stone (Poor Things), and Margaret Qualley (The Substance), with supporting roles from Hong Chau (The Whale) and Mamoudou Athie (Elemental). I won’t break down all the performances because they’re so varied. The interpersonal dynamics also change between each story: sometimes they are employer and employee, father and daughter, or cult leader and subject. I can’t imagine they filmed this over a prolonged period of time, but for the actors to present these various dynamics within one piece of cinema is astounding and a display of how talented they all are.
Each of the three short films within Kinds of Kindness could inspire an essay interpreting the themes and message, but I’ll spare you. Firstly, you should experience this without any prior knowledge of what’s going to occur, and second I don’t think any deeper conclusions could be discussed without spoiling the story. As the title suggests, each short tackles the ideas of submission, control, and devoting oneself to another, whether by compulsion or free will.
Photo by Yorgos Lanthimos. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2024 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.
Aside from Poor Things with its fantastical sets, Lanthimos typically presents his sci-fi stories in an otherwise mundane and normal-looking world. That is part of their magic. The dull and unremarkable locales look like they’d operate within our norms, but as the stories unfold they continue to completely defy expectations. For this reason his stories are endlessly unpredictable and surprising.
Packed with shocking twists and more than a few “WTF” moments. This is not for the faint of heart or squeamish; there is enough violence and debauchery to keep even the most jaded viewer on their toes. Despite being accustomed to his movies I found myself ensnared by how he tells stories. I know I’ll see things that turn my stomach and get under my skin — yet I am driven by the need for answers that I know I will never get. Lanthimos constructs intriguing worlds and only offers a brief glimpse into them, before leaving us with more questions than answers. This isn’t always a bad thing, the stories conclude, but I crave a deeper dive into the lore. Reviewing his work is a challenge because it defies easy description.
Photo by Yorgos Lanthimos. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2024 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.
On a technical level the movie is shot with a lean but effective eye. Lanthimos used plenty of uncomfortably tight closeups that linger just a bit too long, or static angles where characters’ subtle movements carry tremendous weight. This was exemplified when I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions just from two people standing in a kitchen in a silent and static wide shot. The sound and music are another return to classic Lanthimos’ style. Sporadic and off-key piano notes punctuate the more uncomfortable moments, and layered choral chants will send chills down your spine as they build to climactic revelations.
Photo by Yorgos Lanthimos. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2024 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.
Kinds of Kindness showcases Lanthimos at his finest — unhinged, diabolical, and enigmatic as ever. I was, as expected, uncomfortable but compelled throughout. Though there is a single character threaded through all three stories, and some broader thematic congruence, I do wish there was a stronger connection between the three parts. Regardless, each story stands on its own, and even if Lanthimos’ storytelling isn’t your vibe, the acting talent alone earns tremendous respect.
No Yorgos Lanthimos film is a “good” first entry — nothing can really prepare you for how odd his movies are. That said, Kinds of Kindness might be the most accessible starting point. Instead of committing to a full-length feature film, you have three shorter (but equally unhinged) stories offering a sampling of his style.
7/10 - Yorgos Lanthimos is not for everyone but if you are a fan of his previous work, you will find all of the classic Yorgos charm here in droves. More like The Killing of a Sacred Deer and The Lobster than his other work; if you “enjoyed” (I use that word loosely) those, you’ll find exactly what you are looking for here.
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