Kinds of Kindness

Yorgos Lanthimos returns with Kinds of Kindness, a three-part anthology that twists the familiar tropes of marriage, duty, and faith into something deeply unsettling. The film features a star-studded ensemble including Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, and Willem Dafoe, who each portray multiple characters across the distinct segments. Stone plays women named Rita, Liz, and Emily, while Plemons takes on roles as Robert, Daniel, and Andrew. Dafoe appears as Raymond, George, and Omi, anchoring the narrative with his signature intensity alongside Margaret Qualley and Hong Chau. Produced by Searchlight Pictures with a modest budget of $15 million, this production leans heavily on its unique tone rather than massive spectacle. Released in May 2024, the movie blends dark comedy and drama to explore moral dilemmas where human connection feels both necessary and dangerous. Critics have noted the film's sharp writing and the director's ability to maintain a consistent, bizarre atmosphere throughout the runtime. With a current rating hovering around 6.5 out of 10, it stands as another challenging entry in Lanthimos' filmography that demands attention from viewers willing to sit through its 2 hours and 44 minutes.[edit]