Kinds of Kindness
★★★★
If you’re a fan of Jesse Plemons and his uniquely awkward charm, then Kinds of Kindness is definitely the movie for you. Directed by the incomparable Yorgos Lanthimos, this film is a wild ride through three anthology-esque tales that explore similar themes. As a longtime fan of Lanthimos, I was excited to see him take another bold swing with this project.
One of the things I absolutely love about this film is how it brings together a stellar cast—Plemons, Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, Hong Chau and the talented Margot Quigley—all of whom fit perfectly into Lanthimos's surreal universe. Watching them switch characters across different stories is a real treat; it gives us a chance to see their incredible range and the unique flavors they bring to each role.
Now, let’s be real: Kinds of Kindness is not the most straightforward film. Lanthimos always challenges his audience, and I found myself scratching my head, trying to decipher what he was really trying to say. But that’s part of what makes him such a brilliant director. His use of body horror and sexuality to explore themes of dependency and obsession is both fascinating and perplexing. It’s a film that demands patience, and while not everything has a strong payoff, it’s this very complexity that keeps you engaged.
With anthology films, you inevitably end up ranking the stories, and I’m curious to hear how others would rate each tale. Personally, I found two of the stories to be very strong, while one didn’t resonate with me as much. Even though I think this might not be Lanthimos’s strongest work, it has definitely stuck with me. I found myself pondering its themes long after the credits rolled.
What sets Kinds of Kindness apart is Lanthimos's knack for juxtaposing outrageous characters with our ordinary, real-world settings. This creates a fascinating twist that feels both fresh and unsettling. You can always tell when you’re watching a Lanthimos film, and I wonder if his signature style might eventually feel a bit too draining—kind of like Wes Anderson, who manages to keep his quirky style intact while delivering fresh content every time.
This film is raw, disturbing and at times downright hilarious, but it can also be a tad boring in the moment. Still, by the end, you walk away knowing you’ve experienced something truly original. That’s what I love about Lanthimos—he always manages to shock and provoke. So if you’re ready to embrace the bizarre and leave with more questions than answers, Kinds of Kindness is a cinematic journey you won’t want to miss.
