Kinds of Kindness Review: They Made Something

Lanthimos is known for his distinctive approach to filmmaking—his blend of dark humor, surrealism, and social commentary often divides audiences. "The Lobster" and "The Favourite" certainly showcase his knack for blending the bizarre with the profound in a way that can be both unsettling and captivating.

With "Poor Things," I acknowledge its technical and artistic merits, but it didn’t quite land for me, particularly regarding its portrayal of disability. Such a sensitive topic affects the overall enjoyment of a film, even if it’s beautifully crafted.

As for "Kinds of Kindness," if it felt like a tipping point due to a culmination of the elements that didn’t sit well with me in his previous works. Lanthimos’s films often push boundaries and challenge conventional norms, which result in a visceral reaction. "Kinds of Kindness" continues Yorgos Lanthimos’s tradition of pushing narrative boundaries and exploring dark, unconventional themes. The anthology format with interconnected vignettes gives him a flexible canvas to experiment with different facets of his signature style.

Plemons’s attempt to please his boss in a twisted scenario is classic Lanthimos—where ordinary situations are taken to absurd extremes to critique social and power dynamics. Lanthimos often uses such scenarios to delve into the dark side of human motivation and the absurdity of societal expectations. The plot about doppelgangers taps into themes of identity and trust, which Lanthimos has explored in various ways before. The idea of a husband suspecting his wife has been replaced by a doppelganger is a commentary on the nature of relationships and the perception of self versus the perception of others.

The cult aspect seems to align with Lanthimos’s fascination with fringe groups and bizarre rituals. The notion of looking for someone who can resurrect the dead adds a layer of the surreal and supernatural, which fits well with Lanthimos’s exploration of the bizarre and the grotesque.

Given Lanthimos's propensity for blending dark humor with unsettling scenarios, this anthology likely continues his exploration of the macabre and the absurd. The recurring cast, including Emma Stone and Willem Dafoe, suggests a kind of thematic continuity or shared sensibility across the vignettes, even if each story stands on its own.

Lanthimos’s films often thrive on their ability to shock and provoke, but there’s a fine line between engaging critique and simply pushing limits for their own sake.

The elements I found excessive—cannibalism, self-mutilation, animal cruelty, and murder—definitely fall into the realm of extreme content that Lanthimos frequently employs. His approach can be polarizing: while some viewers appreciate the raw, unfiltered look at human nature and societal flaws, others, might find it overwhelming or gratuitous.

A nearly three-hour film with rambling or incoherent segments can test the patience of even the most dedicated filmgoers. Overall, I won't be returning to this film.

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Kinds of Kindness is now streaming on Hulu.