Kinds of Kindness Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Three twisted stories where the same actors play different characters, exploring themes of control, identity, and questionable meal choices.

🍿 Kinds of Kindness: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Death of R.M.F.: Control and Obedience

Robert, an ultra-dependent employee of Raymond, finds his meticulously controlled life unraveling when he refuses to carry out a life-threatening order. Raymond controls every aspect of Robert’s life, from his marriage to his daily routines. When Robert rebels against killing R.M.F., he’s cast out, leading to his life spiraling downward.

The Death of R.M.F.: Desperate Measures

Desperate to regain Raymond’s approval, Robert encounters Rita, another individual manipulated by Raymond. In a twisted attempt to prove his loyalty, Robert kidnaps R.M.F. and brutally murders him. He returns to Raymond’s mansion, where he is welcomed back, highlighting the disturbing extent of Raymond’s control and Robert’s willingness to submit.

R.M.F. Is Flying: Paranoia and Identity

Police officer Daniel mourns his wife Liz, who disappeared at sea, but she miraculously returns. However, Daniel becomes increasingly suspicious as Liz displays strange behaviors and altered interests. His paranoia escalates, leading him to question her identity and demand proof of her loyalty.

R.M.F. Is Flying: Horrific Demands

Consumed by paranoia, Daniel subjects Liz to increasingly disturbing tests, demanding self-mutilation as proof of her identity. Ultimately, Liz complies with his horrific demands, leading to her death. Another Liz appears, suggesting a cyclical and unsettling continuation of the dynamic. This segment explores themes of trust, identity, and the destructive nature of paranoia.

R.M.F. Eats a Sandwich: Cults and Sacrifice

Emily and Andrew are members of a cult searching for a woman with the ability to reanimate the dead. Emily believes she has found the one in a dream. The cult’s rituals are bizarre and demanding, emphasizing the control exerted by its leaders. Emily’s past and her ties to her estranged family add layers of complexity to her motivations.

R.M.F. Eats a Sandwich: Tragic Endings

Driven to return to the cult, Emily orchestrates events to meet their requirements, including a disturbing encounter that leads to her expulsion. She eventually finds Ruth, who possesses the desired ability, but a car crash ends Ruth’s life, underscoring the futility and destructive nature of the cult’s quest. A mid-credits scene features R.M.F. eating a sandwich, a seemingly mundane act that contrasts with the preceding chaos.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Robert Fletcher (Jesse Plemons): A man struggling with control and autonomy, as he navigates relationships with a domineering boss and a demanding wife across three interconnected stories.
• Liz/Emily/Various (Emma Stone): A versatile actress playing various women who are subjected to bizarre and often cruel circumstances, testing the limits of their resilience and identity.
• Raymond/Omi/Various (Willem Dafoe): A powerful figure who exerts control over others in different forms, whether as a manipulative boss or a cult leader.
• Daniel (Jesse Plemons): A paranoid policeman struggling to accept his wife’s return, leading him down a path of escalating suspicion and control.
• Andrew (Jesse Plemons): A member of a cult, led by the enigmatic Omi and Aka, seeking a woman with the ability to reanimate the dead.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Raymond: “You are free now.” – Said by Raymond to Robert after firing him, highlighting the twisted nature of control and freedom within their relationship.
• Liz: “It is better to rely on something consistently available rather than something that depletes each day.” – Liz explains the dream about dogs, reflecting on survival and adapting to changing circumstances in the second story.
• Robert: “(About RMK) I’m not sure what he did to deserve this, but I’m sure he did something” – Said to justify killing R.M.F for his boss

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $5,038,931
• Worldwide Gross: $16,398,509

💥 Kinds of Kindness Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, what a trip! This movie is definitely not for everyone, but I was hooked from the start. The way Lanthimos plays with power dynamics and identity is so fascinating, even when it’s deeply disturbing. The segment with the thumb… I’m still trying to process that! I loved how the same actors played different roles, it added a layer of meta-commentary that I really appreciated. Definitely one I’ll be thinking about for a while.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Yorgos Lanthimos’s previous films (e.g., The Lobster, Poor Things)”
  • “Viewers who appreciate surreal and absurdist cinema”
  • “Those interested in films exploring complex themes of control, identity, and power dynamics”
  • “Audiences who enjoy thought-provoking and unsettling narratives”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Sexual content and nudity”
  • “Disturbing themes (manipulation, self-harm)”
  • “Potentially triggering content related to abuse”
  • “May contain scenes of animal harm”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Lanthimos delivers a bizarre and thought-provoking anthology, challenging viewers with its dark humor and unsettling themes. The performances are exceptional, particularly Jesse Plemons, and the film lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Kinds of Kindness is a mixed bag, showcasing Lanthimos’ signature style but lacking the narrative cohesion of his best work. The anthology format feels disjointed, but the performances are strong and the film’s exploration of control is compelling.
• Variety: “A perplexing and uneven anthology that struggles to find its footing. While the performances are commendable, the film’s bizarre plot and lack of emotional depth leave it feeling ultimately unsatisfying.

Audience Reactions

Jesse Plemons’ performance is absolutely phenomenal and steals every scene.: The acting is universally praised, with Plemons and Stone receiving particular attention.

The movie is weird, disturbing, and not for the faint of heart.: Viewers are divided on the film’s content, some finding it thought-provoking while others find it too bizarre and unsettling.

Overall Consensus: Kinds of Kindness is a polarizing anthology film with strong performances and unsettling themes, but its disjointed narrative and bizarre content may not appeal to all viewers.

Awards

1. Cannes Film Festival (Best Actor)- 2024

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Kinds of Kindness is structured as a triptych, presenting three distinct yet interwoven stories with a consistent ensemble cast.”
• “Jesse Plemons won the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival for his performance in Kinds of Kindness.”
• “The film explores themes of control, manipulation, and the search for meaning in absurd situations, common motifs in Yorgos Lanthimos’s filmography.”
• “Jerskin Fendrix, the films composer, makes a cameo appearance in the first story as the piano player at the hotel bar.”
• “The movie filmed in New Orleans, Louisiana.”

🖥️ How to Watch Kinds of Kindness?

Kinds of Kindness is currently playing in theaters. As a Searchlight Pictures film, it is likely to stream on Hulu after its theatrical run. You may be able to purchase or rent the movie on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, or Vudu after its theatrical window closes.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Kinds of Kindness, you might like these similar films:

• The Lobster (2015): Shares Lanthimos’s signature surreal and darkly comedic style, exploring unconventional relationships and societal pressures.
• Being John Malkovich (1999): Explores bizarre and absurd situations with a similar willingness to delve into the strange aspects of human existence.
• Dogtooth (2009): Another Yorgos Lanthimos film that showcases his unique style of absurdism and explores themes of control and manipulation within a family setting.
• Poor Things (2023): Shares Lanthimos’s signature surreal style, explores unconventional relationships and societal pressures and features Emma Stone.

🛒 Kinds of Kindness Related Products

• Yorgos Lanthimos: Interviews (Conversations with Filmmakers Series): Explore the mind of the director with a collection of interviews detailing his unique filmmaking process and artistic vision.
• Poor Things [Blu-ray]: Experience Lanthimos’ previous critically acclaimed film, a visually stunning and thought-provoking dark comedy.
• The Lobster [Blu-ray]: Another dark and surreal romantic satire directed by Yorgos Lanthimos.
• Emma Stone Autographed Movie Photo: A rare autographed photo of Emma Stone in ‘Kinds of Kindness’. A true collector’s item.

🎧 Soundtrack

Kinds of Kindness features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” – performed by Eurythmics
• “Main Title Theme” – performed by Jerskin Fendrix

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

KINDS OF KINDNESS Explained (Ending & Full Breakdown)

Okay, ‘Kinds of Kindness’ is WILD, right? This video breaks down all the confusing parts, especially that ending! Trust me, you’ll want to watch this to finally understand what’s going on, I wish I had watched this right after seeing the movie.

✨ Rate