Jacked In Reviews ‘Kinds of Kindness’ (2024)

If you go into the movie with no preconceptions, what initially appears to be a chapter set up eventually reveals that Yorgos Lanthimos’ latest feature is in fact a triptych tale comprised of several short stories connected by an individual known as R.M.F (Yorgos Stefanakos). And with that the penny drops regarding the three Kinds of Kindness title format on the movie’s promotions.

The premise of each story within this ironically titled film initially gauges intrigue with that overarching bizarreness and specific type of dark comedy that can only be found in a Lanthimos world. First off we have, Robert (Jesse Plemons), a man willing to do anything he is told by his overbearing boss, Raymond (Willem Dafoe) in order to be provided for – you name it, hitting on women, preventing their partner from conceiving a child, even murder. Second, we have another individual, Daniel (Plemons), who is convinced their wife, Liz (Emma Stone) – who resorted to cannibalism whilst stranded for a short stint – is a doppelganger. And finally, members of a cult Andrew (Plemons) and Emily (Stone) are on the search for someone who – after meeting very specific requirements – can bring people back to life.

However, something is missing that you can’t quite put your finger on, the ability to be gripped or enticed. Lanthimos is no stranger to his prosaic pacing but it has always been executed in a delightfully deadpan and marvellously matter-of-fact style. Unfortunately, we now seem to be on the reverse side of this coin with a movie that drags its feet from start to finish and is – to put it simply – dull.

Similar to the movie’s score, ‘Kinds of Kindness‘ is pretty one note throughout, and that note… is mundane.

The irreverent conclusions of each story are entertaining in their abruptness but sadly, not worth the journey it takes to get there. Similar to the movie’s score, Kinds of Kindness is pretty one note throughout, and that note… is mundane.

Usually, it is a treat to see actors showcase their range, playing several roles within a project. Yet, due to the film’s format, you’re left with the actors giving the same monotone performance throughout, each portraying three characters not too dissimilar to one another.

On a side note, a remarkable feat was accomplished by desensitising his audience to sex and the human form in his last flick (Poor Things), while, he almost undoes that with this feature. Seemingly having no rhyme or reason and simply showing skin for showing skin’s sake – as well as creating discomfort (not powerfully or artistically, more in a “this is just unpleasant to watch” kind of way) with a kiss close up between Defoe and Stone.

If the point was to make a statement piece showing the array of similar content (and actors) constantly being turned out, perhaps Lanthimos has succeeded.

It is a movie that lacks a great deal of substance on the surface but if the point was to make a statement piece showing the array of similar content (and actors) constantly being turned out, perhaps Lanthimos has succeeded. But at a runtime of almost three hours… that is a very arduous statement for an audience to experience.

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