Yorgos Lanthimos’ Latest Masterpiece: ‘Kinds of Kindness’ is a Mind-Boggling, Dark Pleasure
As I reflect on my experience with Yorgos Lanthimos’ films, I am reminded of the first time I watched ‘Dogtooth’ in 2010. I was struck by the Greek filmmaker’s unique sensibilities and style, and I knew I had to keep an eye on his work in the years to come. Fast forward 14 years, and Lanthimos has achieved what can be called ‘mainstream’ success, collaborating with notable Hollywood stars like Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, and Nicole Kidman.
The Oscar-nominated filmmaker behind ‘The Favourite’ and ‘Poor Things’
Lanthimos’ latest film, ‘Kinds of Kindness’, is a return to his roots, and it’s a mind-boggling, dark pleasure that feels made to be divisive in the best way. This anthology film foregoes a wraparound story, instead presenting a triptych of shorts featuring a common ensemble cast, with the main common thread between them being bizarre relationships with an emphasis on control and obedience.
‘The Death of R.M.F.’
The first segment, ‘The Death of R.M.F.’, centers on a man named Robert Fletcher (Jesse Plemons), who has an agreement with a man named Raymond (Willem Dafoe) to have his entire life dictated and scheduled. However, he is conflicted when he is instructed to commit an extreme albeit planned crime.
The actor shines in ‘The Death of R.M.F.’
‘R.M.F. Is Flying’
In the second segment, ‘R.M.F. Is Flying’, a police officer (Plemons) starts emotionally slipping when his wife (Emma Stone) mysteriously disappears at sea, but upon her return, he isn’t sure she is who she says she is.
The actress delivers a standout performance in ‘R.M.F. Is Flying’
‘R.M. F. Eats A Sandwich’
The final segment, ‘R.M. F. Eats A Sandwich’, follows two agents (Stone, Plemons) dispatched by a cult to follow up on leads to try and find a woman whom they are told has the ability to bring the dead back to life.
The actor delivers a memorable performance in ‘R.M. F. Eats A Sandwich’
What makes ‘Kinds of Kindness’ so compelling is the satisfaction of putting together what Lanthimos and co-writer Efthimis Filippou are trying to say with the trio of narratives. Each segment builds like a puzzle, and it’s wild to see the full picture come together.
“The nature of the movie makes it a spoiler minefield, as it’s really best to let each twist and turn in the segments rock you and drop your jaw as they unfold.” - [Source Material]
Yorgos Lanthimos presents a clean-yet-dirty world and never flinches from anything. The film’s aesthetic consistency throughout accentuates the acute tonal changes, making it a wild ride from start to finish.
A still from the film
In conclusion, ‘Kinds of Kindness’ is a masterclass in storytelling, with Lanthimos pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable in mainstream cinema. It’s a film that will leave you dizzy, shocked, and deeply unsettled, but also strangely satisfied.
