Kinds of Kindness

We went into this movie a bit worried about the 164-minute runtime, but by the end, we just wanted more of these stories.⠀
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Last year, we were beyond impressed by Yorgos Lanthimos‘ “Poor Things“—it was actually our favorite movie of the year. So, we could not wait to have another experience with Lanthimos behind the camera and Emma Stone and Willem Dafoe in front of it. What we did not expect was for that to happen so soon.⠀
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“Kinds of Kindness” feels like a new season of “Black Mirror” but darker, stranger, and more layered, a complexity only Lanthimos could deliver. The three stories delve into toxic relationships in a way that makes you laugh and then reconsider why you’re laughing. It shows a side of humanity that is anything but kind. The cast is perfect. Emma Stone, seeking to change how people see her as an actress, continues to deliver performances few can match. She blends dramatic talent with her quirky and fun side, creating unique characters that stick with you.⠀
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Willem Dafoe is no stranger to delivering strange roles, but there’s something about his roles here that reveal a side of him we love to see. He is clearly enjoying himself, and that joy is infectious. Margaret Qualley also stands out, not only for her beauty but for her cold and harsh delivery that truly fits every character she plays in these three stories, making her performance hilarious to follow.⠀
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We must also talk about the cornerstone of this movie, an actor who remains underrated yet always impactful: Jesse Plemons. This year, he stole the show for us in “Civil War,” and now, with the right material and co-stars, he shines even brighter in “Kinds of Kindness.”

This movie is not for everyone. You will have your favorite “stories,” but all of them have their merits. We loved the character study in the first story and how the lack of freedom to choose can paradoxically make one feel free. It explores how control over time molds you into a person who can’t live without that control.⠀
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The second story feels like the craziest until you realize it happens all the time. It delves into how we have a certain idea of someone in our heads, and when they change, we can’t believe it’s the same person. It examines how we sacrifice ourselves to keep what we know and what makes us feel secure.⠀
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The final story addresses the culture of fear and how it’s used to keep people in check until life itself shows you that control is an illusion. It emphasizes that you need to think for yourself to truly control your actions, not the outcomes.⠀
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This is a movie that will spark discussions, and that’s what we loved about it. How about you? What are your thoughts?