Kinds of Kindness - Review: A Stylishly Dark and Absurdist Anthology of Modern Oddities

Kinds of Kindness (2024)

A Stylishly Dark and Absurdist Anthology of Modern Oddities

★★★☆☆

A humorous, offbeat diversion that thrives on shocking its audience into a state of "WTF."

Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, Kinds of Kindness is a triptych of vignettes featuring an incredible ensemble including Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, and Jesse Plemons. Each actor takes on a different role across the three stories, lending a unique, non-traditional energy to the proceedings. While the stylish, dark, and absurdist elements may not appeal to mass audiences, it successfully scratches the itch for those looking for something truly unique in the modern cinematic landscape.

"There are several instances through the course of the film where the audience may ask themselves WTF, but that's the point. There are some shocking and surprising elements just for the sake of morbid entertainment."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
• Starring: Jesse Plemons, Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe
• Supporting: Margaret Qualley, Hong Chau, Mamoudou Athie
• Cinematography: Robbie Ryan

The Vision

Lanthimos and co-writer Efthimis Filippou seem to be aiming for a humorous diversion rather than a search for deeper meaning. To avoid frustration, it's best to approach this film as a series of dark comedic experiments rather than a pretentious moral study. By embracing the mindset of "morbid entertainment," the viewer can celebrate the film for its offbeat nature without getting lost in the confusion of its more esoteric threads.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Award-Winning Performance: Jesse Plemons won the Best Actor award at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival for his diverse performances across all three segments.
• Reunion: This film marks the fourth collaboration between Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos, following The Favourite, Bleat, and the Oscar-winning Poor Things.
• Back to Basics: Unlike the grand period sets of Poor Things, this film was shot on location in New Orleans, returning to the contemporary, stark visual style of Lanthimos’ earlier Greek films.

✅ Pros

• Masterclass ensemble performances, particularly from Jesse Plemons.
• Unapologetically unique and offbeat storytelling.
• Sleek, stylish cinematography that enhances the absurdist tone.

❌ Cons

• Lacks a strong deeper meaning or emotional core.
• The repetitive structure and long runtime may lead to frustration.
• May feel "shocking for the sake of shock" to mass audiences.

The Full Analysis

Kinds of Kindness is a series of three vignettes featuring a versatile ensemble of performers, including Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, and Jesse Plemons, who each take on vastly different characters across the three distinct stories. These shorts are defined by stylish, dark, and absurdist elements that may not appeal to mainstream audiences, yet for those seeking unique, non-traditional narratives, this film will certainly scratch that itch. I believe that if the viewer approaches the material through a comedic prism, it successfully avoids becoming pretentious or overly self-important.

There are several instances throughout the course of the film where the audience may find themselves asking what exactly is happening on screen, but that is precisely the point. The film utilizes shocking and surprising elements for the sake of morbid entertainment, leaning into the bizarre nature of the human condition. However, when it comes to finding deeper meaning or profound inspirations within the material, the experience may become problematic. I suspect the filmmakers were aiming more for a humorous, albeit dark, diversionary tone, which is an admirable reach in its own right.

It is important to enter the theater knowing the film's intent so that the lack of traditional resolution does not lead to unnecessary confusion or frustration. If one adopts that specific mindset, Kinds of Kindness can be celebrated for being refreshingly offbeat and unique. The performances are riveting, with Jesse Plemons particularly standing out as he navigates the shifting tones of each vignette. It is an engaging story that rewards the viewer’s willingness to embrace the strange, providing a sharp, satirical edge to the concepts of control, faith, and desire.

Ultimately, this latest work from director Yorgos Lanthimos is a powerfully invigorating, though deeply weird, cinematic experiment. While it may not reach the emotional or narrative heights of his more cohesive films, it remains a solid showcase for its talented cast. It is a visceral, runaway train of spontaneity that cements Lanthimos' reputation as an indie-film auteur who is unafraid to color outside the lines of convention. Go in expecting a morbidly funny ride, and you will likely find the experience to be a special, if not entirely accessible, piece of modern art.

🏆 Final Verdict

A successful exercise in the absurd. Go in expecting a humorous, dark diversion rather than a profound epic, and you will find a film well worth celebrating for its originality.

View original review on Letterboxd