Review of Kinds of Kindness (2024)

Taken from my personal Letterboxd account

Old Yorgos is back babyyyy! As much as I love how satisfying and accessible(?) Poor Things and The Favourite were, I missed the total absurdity of his older style that was so characteristic and unique. It's oddly comforting like a bit of an inside joke. I’m not surprised that it hasn’t been as well received as Poor Things, and I now understand why the release felt much more subdued. Those expecting Poor Things' whimsy or The Favourite's wit might be disappointed by the robotic dialogue, sterile atmosphere and overall ambiguity. It almost feels like a hostile move to put out such a surreal and inaccessible film so soon after the success of Poor Things, but in a way, it’s also a love letter to the fans of his foundational works. Yorgos does this brilliant thing where he dissects human behaviour and pastes it back together in a way that lets you view humanity through the lens of an alien by exploring fundamental human issues through such inhuman ways. I craved this aspect in his newer films and Kinds of Kindness delivered everything I'd been wanting.

I've never been brought to tears by a film like I was by the credits of this one. I felt so moved in a way I couldn't exactly describe, it kinda felt like exiting a therapy session. The overarching theme of desperation for acceptance felt so well explored and really resonated with me (lol). It feels odd to relate to such extreme and aberrant characters such as a woman who is willing to cook her own flesh in exchange for approval from her insatiable husband, or a man willing to sacrifice his free will and place his life in another’s hands just to feel worthy (I, too, would begrudgingly read an 800 page work of classical literature if Willem Dafoe told me to). I think there are many more ways the stories can be interpreted though, which is a trademark of powerful art. The first movement could be interpreted as a cynical commentary on capitalism and the dynamic between workers and corporations for example. There are so many things left unexplained intentionally to let you consider different interpretations and meanings and I LOVE that. I guess each movement could have been its own standalone short film but I do think that it works so well as a triptych. Other anthology-style films I’ve watched have always had a blatantly weaker movement, but I honestly believe that each of the three movements here was equally memorable and well-developed. They were all also connected enough that it felt cohesive but different enough that they were unique and effective in their own right.

The casting was flawless! I could not have envisioned any other actor playing Jesse Plemon’s role. He fits perfectly into Yorgos' uncanny valley worlds. Same with Willem Dafoe, I'm so happy they've been collaborating. Was sure that Hunter Schafer was Alex Consani at first and I got so excited LMAO. Emma Stone really shined in the third movement; I think that performance alone should have her considered for Best Actress. I've generally enjoyed seeing Stone's work with Yorgos over the past few years. 

Yorgos Lanthimos films have some of my favourite soundtracks ever and this one did not disappoint. It's fair to say Jerskin Fendrix has come a long way since playing at the Windmill. I think him and Yorgos are a match made in heaven. LOVED all the choral pieces and hymns most of all. 

What captivated me most about Kinds of Kindness was that it was so clear how much fun Yorgos Lanthimos and everyone behind this film had with it. Seeing something made by artists who were allowed to go wild without thinking too much about the results or audience reception is so special and makes for such an enjoyable watch. It will not have the same reach as other works in Yorgos' filmography, but I think it will be keenly appreciated and adored by fans of Dogtooth and Alps.