Kinds of Kindness is an intriguing and entertaining collection of three films that play like a study of humanity and mental manipulation.
Kinds of Kindness comes from the mind of Yorgos Lanthimos, and if you are familiar with his work, you will know that this movie is not for everyone. Hot off the heels of Poor Things‘ incredible run over awards season, his latest film tells three different stories that play like a study of humanity and mental manipulation.
Clocking at two hours and forty-five minutes, Kinds of Kindness is long, but it never feels the runtime because of the way it is split into three distinct stories — each of which is entertaining, captivating, and intriguing. Some scenes are hard to watch, while others are hilarious.
The movie is not without its issues, but most viewers will agree the acting is top notch. Incredible talent includes Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Quallet, Hong Chau, Joe Alwyn, Mamoudou Athie, and Hunter Schafer.
Kinds of Kindness Story One
This first story follows a man without choice who tries to take control of his own life, played by Jesse Plemons. The best of the three tales, this one is perfect from beginning to end. It will have viewers on the edge of their seat as they watch the story unfold and this man’s world shatter around him.
Jesse Plemons is the standout, although both Dafoe and Qualley deliver wonderful performances as well. The themes throughout this story are what makes it so interesting. How will someone who has had all of his decisions made for him for ten years, right up to what and when he eats, handle not having that direction anymore?
Kinds of Kindness Story Two
The second Kinds of Kindness story starts off extrememly interesting, but ultimately goes too far off the rails. While this might not be a problem for some, it will be for others. Easily the most cringy of the three parts, the biggest issue lies in too many questions left unanswered in the end.
This is the story of a policeman who is alarmed that his wife, who was missing-at-sea, has returned and seems to be a different person. Plemons and Stone have an unmatched dynamic here, and their relationship is the best part of this story. Again, there are themes of manipulation, as Jesse’s character tries everything he can think of to prove that this is not his wife — and tries to see just how far she will go to prove her loyalty to him.
Kinds of Kindness Story Three
Kinds of Kindness story three follows a woman (Stone) who is determined to find a specific someone with a special ability, who is destined to become a prodigious spiritual leader. It has a very cult-y feel to it, which is what will appeal to most viewers. Once again, the study of humanity and how easily they can be manipulated comes into play here.
Joe Alwyn’s character is a welcome addition here, in a “love to hate him” kind of way. This story starts off strong, wavers a bit in the middle, but then sticks the landing with a shocking twist ending.
Overall Thoughts
Yorgos Lanthimos’ style is not for everyone. His storytelling is always bizarre and a bit twisted. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Kinds of Kindness works for the most part, but there are some glaring issues as well. Too many questions left unanswered, which end up feeling more like plot holes than leaving things up to the audience’s interpretations.
Still, with an incredible cast of talented actors like this, their performances are something that everyone will appreciate. While the stories never directly relate (each actor plays a different character in each story), they do all connect with heavy themes of manipulation and the study of humanity and how far we are willing to go.
Kinds of Kindness is more on the artsy side, but it does offer up several laugh out loud moments. The cinematography, score (the heavy piano that comes in during each climax is enough to send chills down anyone’s spine), and the sound design are top notch. This movie will not be for everyone, but it is something that fans of Yorgos Lanthimos will likely adore.
See for yourself when Kinds of Kindness comes to select theaters on June 21st.
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About Kinds of Kindness
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.
