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."

Release Date

June 21, 2024

Rotten Tomatoes

71%

Letterboxd Score

3.6/5

Running Time

2h 44m

Official Synopsis

KINDS OF KINDNESS is a triptych fable, following a man without choice who tries to take control of his own life; a policeman who is alarmed that his wife who was missing at sea has returned and seems a different person; and a woman determined to find a specific someone with a special ability, who is destined to become a prodigious spiritual leader.

Expanded Ensemble

• Emma Stone as Rita / Liz / Emily
• Jesse Plemons as Robert / Daniel / Andrew
• Willem Dafoe as Raymond / George / Omi
• Margaret Qualley as Vivian / Martha / Ruth + Rebecca
• Hong Chau as Sarah / Sharon / Aka
• Joe Alwyn as Appraiser / Jerry / Joseph
• Mamoudou Athie as Will / Neil / Morgue Nurse

Expanded Architects

• Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
• Screenwriters: Yorgos Lanthimos, Efthimis Filippou
• Producers: Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Kasia Malipan, Yorgos Lanthimos
• Cinematographer: Robbie Ryan
• Film Editor: Yorgos Mavropsaridis
• Production Designer: Anthony Gasparro

Official Trailer

Production Info & Specifications

Financial Budget	$15 Million (Estimated)
Capture Format	35mm Film / 1.85:1 Spherical Layout
Primary Locations	New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Production Labels	Searchlight Pictures, Film4, Element Pictures
MPAA Rating	R (Restricted for Sexual Content, Violence, and Nudity)

Behind the Lens Spotlight: Following the grand scale visual design architecture of Poor Things, director Yorgos Lanthimos scales back his technical execution into contemporary realism for this structural triptych anthology. Cinematographer Robbie Ryan utilizes natural, minimalist lighting environments, shooting raw on 35mm film stocks to deliver an intentionally flat, deadpan frame. The editing configuration by Yorgos Mavropsaridis relies on abrupt cuts to disrupt the balance of individual segments, highlighting the internal isolation that binds these dark, tragic characters across all three acts.

Vault Intelligence: Expanded Fun Facts

• The Repertory Troupe: Lanthimos explicitly designed this project as an acting exercise for his core cast members, requiring the same group of performers to transform into entirely different characters with completely independent relationships across the three distinct segments.
• Cannes Recognition: Jesse Plemons won the prestigious Best Actor award at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival for his versatile performances across the anthology's triptych structure.
• Secret Alternative Titles: During its early development and local filming windows in the city of New Orleans, the high-profile project operated under the cryptic production working title And.
• Script Roots: This movie marks a major creative return to Lanthimos' early filmmaking roots, reuniting him with his co-writer Efthimis Filippou to deliver the deadpan absurdity that characterized masterpieces like Dogtooth and The Lobster.

"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

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