Movie Review: Kinds of Kindness

4.5 stars out of 5

Welcome back, Yorgos! OK, director Yorgos Lanthimos hasn’t exactly been missing in action. His 2023 film Poor Things was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and won 4 of them. But he didn’t write that movie, or the one before, The Favourite. In fact, it’s been 7 years since Lanthimos and his buddy Efthimis Filippou co-wrote a film, The Killing of a Sacred Deer. Though both of the non-Lanthimos-written movies were quite enjoyable, they lacked his trademark extreme darkness, his particular twistedness.

I’m happy to report that those qualities have returned in a big way. As I told the cinema staffer who was sweeping up the theater as I watched the end credits, Kinds of Kindness is dark and delightful.

It’s also three short films with many of the same actors — notably Emma Stone (third tour of duty with Lanthimos), Jesse Plemons (first), and Willem Dafoe (second) — playing different roles in each. OK, maybe one character repeats.

In the first part, Plemons works for Dafoe, and is very good at following orders, until he isn’t. In the second part, nautical scientist Stone is missing, her police officer husband Plemons is distraught, and then she returns. In the concluding part, Plemons and Stone are cult members of a couple including Dafoe, they are very good at following orders, until one isn’t. In-between these basics, a lot of messed-up stuff happens.

So there is some overlap in themes, particularly being cast into the wilderness (and how one responds), how far one person should follow or please another, and — as per the title — let’s call it “misplaced kindness.” There is also a touch of Twilight Zone to the separate plots, adding to the fun. And as dark and cynical as things get, there are also some very big laughs. If you find that sort of thing funny.

The actors “get it” and know how to play everything straight. Plemons is alternately heartbroken, matter-of-fact, or losing it. Stone is alluring, all business, all not business, or regretful. Dafoe has the most fun of all as a batshit boss, and then fades into a “normie” role as a concerned dad. Also very good throughout are Margaret Qualley (have I previously mentioned I’m a fan? Oh I have?) and Hong Chau, who was solid in The Whale.

Not everyone will enjoy this movie. Me? I loved it. Thank you, Yorgos and Efthimis!