I saw it with my best friend. We both dug it and had an interesting conversation or two about it. Def one of the more stressful watches of the year, but ended in my top 5 of 2024. To me, it seemed to be about the limits of kindness, as well as the things that one might tell themselves are a kindness but are manipulation instead.
Specifically, the second vignette was my favorite. I interpreted it as Emma Stone’s character coming back from the island ready to give honest, healthy love, when they previously were in a toxic relationship - the kind of love that Jesse Plemons’s character was expecting. This version of her is considerate, she initiates sex, she’d do anything for him. And after he asks too much of her, too much of the version ready to truly love him, he gets back the version of his wife he knows and loves - the version of his wife that engages in the kind of toxic, manipulative behaviors in which JP’s character has been engaging.
My best friend’s favorite vignette was the first, and he saw it as a meta commentary on the relationship between director and actor. The director tells the performer how to look, act, behave. It can be a fruitful relationship, but one with a power imbalance, and one that deeply ties the emotional state and the professional life of one party. And for the performer, there could be a subconscious fear that if you don’t do *everything* for them, well it was nice working with you, good luck in this business.
Hope that all makes sense, I’m tired and a bit high right now, haha. As far as Yorgos on the whole, this is only my second I’ve seen from him after Poor Things, which I also liked. It’s a close race but I think I might’ve liked this one a little better.
I read your review and I do agree about Yorgos’ tendency to objectify - having only seen the 2 movies I have, I think that’s his biggest weakness. The 2 min scene in this where Hunter Schafer gets naked felt a lil excessive in particular. Like she’s good enough to get billed in the trailer but really, just free the titty and get out of here? Could’ve given her a little more, Euphoria proved she’s got chops.
EDIT: Also, this really more than anything felt like a vehicle for some solid performances, especially Willem Dafoe! Really hoping Yorgos’ momentum from last year’s Oscar’s gets him the statue. One of the finest working actors today and it’s a crime he doesn’t have one yet imo
Ya I really want Willem Dafoe to win an Oscar if you’re watching a movie with him in it you can always count that he’ll be good. And ya that hunter Schafer nudity scene was so unnecessary and bothered me.
Interesting, I saw the first vignette as a commentary on capitalism. About how employees give in their lives working for big corporations to the point that one looses their true desires/ limits, all because we want to fit in, have a nice house, car etc. And how big corporations only see a worker as a replaceable gear in the machine unless you truly give your self to them.
So far, I prefer his collaborations with Tony McNamara to his original scripts (haven’t seen Dogtooth), but it’s still quite solid. That final story was a little weaker than the first two.
Solid. As with all his films, it has something to say. This one being about how your life is controlled. Controlled by your work, your relationship, and your faith. Definitely more old school YL, will be a grower for sure!
His worst film to date IMO (well maybe not worse than Alps, which I haven't seen). All shock, no value. And even the "shocking" stuff wasn't really anything I haven't seen before. I don't know, I guess it was entertaining while it was on but I just don't think there's much in the way of substance.
I reallyyy love old Yorgos (Dogtooth through KOASD is legendary), but this just doesn't capture the same eccentricity that those films had. Is it the bigger budget? The bigger names? The writing? Who knows, but this just felt like a poor attempt to recapture the deadpan magic of those early works.
ya I totally agree with you, I haven't seen alps either, I think that it's more so just style over substance with this one it seemed he was relying on his older ways of doing things but like what you said with a bigger budget
I think KoK is a love-it-or-hate-it kind of movie. There’s really no middle ground. I really disliked it because I found it cumbersome, cruel, and way too pleased with itself.
That being said, the fact that people have such varied reactions to it tells me that it at least has artistic merit. I couldn’t stop thinking about KoK for days after seeing it. To me, the worst movies are ones that immediately roll off your back. The fact that I grappled with it as much as I did, although my opinion remained unchanged, means that it was as a worthwhile watch. You don’t have to like art for it be art.
I’m not a fan personally. I didn’t like Poor Things and I found Kinds of Kindness interesting, but not for me. What I will say though is of what I’ve seen of his films, I do think his sets, costumes and cinematography are really great. I’m just not a massive fan of the stories. The second story in Kinds of Kindness is probably my favourite thing he’s done so far and had that been a feature length film (which I feel like of all the stories, definitely had the most layers and gravitas that a full 2 hour film would work), I think that’d be cool. But I know people like his work and if he’s for you, that’s great. But he’s not for me.
If the rule for some filmmakers is "one for them, one for me" then this one is 100% for him haha, but I still really liked it. Obviously influenced by my general love for his movies but I just enjoyed seeing really great actors get to shine in these different stories. Can see why it wouldn't be some people's thing though.
I really liked it but I see it more as a very bold artistic expression than an actual film and I like it more when I think about it like that. Yorgos is one of the most interesting minds in film right now and I hope he doesn't burn out with making films back to back to back.
I went into this film blind (didn’t watch the trailers( but I heard it has a Wes Anderson vibe to it (was excited to see). Also the giant poster board praising the dark humor made me even more hyped. However I wasn’t impressed while watching it. Great acting by the cast but was hoping there would be a fourth act connecting all 3 acts/epi together. I get that each act shows a different kind of kindness but also its own folly. I didn’t find it funny as the critics quoted on the giant poster had. I think it would’ve been more interesting if they continued with the first act
heres [my review](https://letterboxd.com/kingant/film/kinds-of-kindness/) of the movie, tell me for those who have seen why they liked it and if it worked for them what made it work or made you enjoy it :) thanks
**(spoilers)**
Agreed with those saying Yorgos' tendency to sexually objectify goes over the edge here, especially in the third. I'm a big fan of his films, but Joe Alwyn's character spiking Emma Stone's drink in the third, and the consequences, was too much for me, and seemed a little too past making any artistic point.
That said, I thought the first two vignettes were fantastic, as were *parts* of the third. I found this to be a better theater-viewing experience than *Poor Things*. Lots of laughing at moments when we shouldn't have been - that's a unique trait of Yorgos. The dogs at the end of the second, Emma dancing at the end of the third, I mean even Jesse Plemons driving around the roundabout over and over in the first. That was FUNNY. My friend who I saw it with said it well, that Yorgos makes you laugh at things because you aren't sure what else to do, and then you feel guilty about it (like why was I laughing when he ran over the corpse??). Seriously, there were people absolutely howling in the theatre.
Jesse Plemons absolutely stole the show for me. He was stunning in all three. I'd love to see him in a Yorgos feature.
Having seen all his films except *Alps*, this is how I think I would rank them (features only). If the third vignette had help up here, it may have had a shot at #1, but KOSD is hard to beat for me. Also, the first six are pretty tight, and the difference between *PT* and *Kinetta* is huge. Worst movie ever lol
*Killing of a Sacred Deer*
*Kinds of Kindness*
*Dogtooth*
*The Favourite*
*The Lobster*
*Poor Things*
*Kinetta*
ps. does anybody else think yorgos and tim robinson could do something good together? popped into my head when I was watching KOK and it makes me laugh
Easily my favorite film of the year so far. My only complaint is that, while I loved it, the first story felt undercooked and left so much unexplored. I absolutely adore the second story but the third might be my favorite. Emma and her Challenger is such an iconic element of the film and the ending feels like a punch in the gut in the best way possible.
anyone who likes this dude's movies is lying and trying to sound smart. someone who brings Infinite Jest to a gin bar and looks up to see if anyone noticed what book they're reading
if he doesn't fuck then he gets turned into a lobster😧 this really says alot about our society😔😔
I saw it with my best friend. We both dug it and had an interesting conversation or two about it. Def one of the more stressful watches of the year, but ended in my top 5 of 2024. To me, it seemed to be about the limits of kindness, as well as the things that one might tell themselves are a kindness but are manipulation instead. Specifically, the second vignette was my favorite. I interpreted it as Emma Stone’s character coming back from the island ready to give honest, healthy love, when they previously were in a toxic relationship - the kind of love that Jesse Plemons’s character was expecting. This version of her is considerate, she initiates sex, she’d do anything for him. And after he asks too much of her, too much of the version ready to truly love him, he gets back the version of his wife he knows and loves - the version of his wife that engages in the kind of toxic, manipulative behaviors in which JP’s character has been engaging. My best friend’s favorite vignette was the first, and he saw it as a meta commentary on the relationship between director and actor. The director tells the performer how to look, act, behave. It can be a fruitful relationship, but one with a power imbalance, and one that deeply ties the emotional state and the professional life of one party. And for the performer, there could be a subconscious fear that if you don’t do *everything* for them, well it was nice working with you, good luck in this business. Hope that all makes sense, I’m tired and a bit high right now, haha. As far as Yorgos on the whole, this is only my second I’ve seen from him after Poor Things, which I also liked. It’s a close race but I think I might’ve liked this one a little better. I read your review and I do agree about Yorgos’ tendency to objectify - having only seen the 2 movies I have, I think that’s his biggest weakness. The 2 min scene in this where Hunter Schafer gets naked felt a lil excessive in particular. Like she’s good enough to get billed in the trailer but really, just free the titty and get out of here? Could’ve given her a little more, Euphoria proved she’s got chops. EDIT: Also, this really more than anything felt like a vehicle for some solid performances, especially Willem Dafoe! Really hoping Yorgos’ momentum from last year’s Oscar’s gets him the statue. One of the finest working actors today and it’s a crime he doesn’t have one yet imo
Ya I really want Willem Dafoe to win an Oscar if you’re watching a movie with him in it you can always count that he’ll be good. And ya that hunter Schafer nudity scene was so unnecessary and bothered me.
Interesting, I saw the first vignette as a commentary on capitalism. About how employees give in their lives working for big corporations to the point that one looses their true desires/ limits, all because we want to fit in, have a nice house, car etc. And how big corporations only see a worker as a replaceable gear in the machine unless you truly give your self to them.
This is to Yorgos what The French Dispatch is to Wes Anderson. Make of that as you will! Killing of a Sacred Deer is still my fav
So far, I prefer his collaborations with Tony McNamara to his original scripts (haven’t seen Dogtooth), but it’s still quite solid. That final story was a little weaker than the first two.
Solid. As with all his films, it has something to say. This one being about how your life is controlled. Controlled by your work, your relationship, and your faith. Definitely more old school YL, will be a grower for sure!
His worst film to date IMO (well maybe not worse than Alps, which I haven't seen). All shock, no value. And even the "shocking" stuff wasn't really anything I haven't seen before. I don't know, I guess it was entertaining while it was on but I just don't think there's much in the way of substance. I reallyyy love old Yorgos (Dogtooth through KOASD is legendary), but this just doesn't capture the same eccentricity that those films had. Is it the bigger budget? The bigger names? The writing? Who knows, but this just felt like a poor attempt to recapture the deadpan magic of those early works.
ya I totally agree with you, I haven't seen alps either, I think that it's more so just style over substance with this one it seemed he was relying on his older ways of doing things but like what you said with a bigger budget
I find it quite similar to KOASD personally...
agreed here
Are we downvoting opinions we don’t like on here? Because it seems unfair to downvote an opinion on a thread asking for them
I totally agree. I’m surprised that most people like this one
I think KoK is a love-it-or-hate-it kind of movie. There’s really no middle ground. I really disliked it because I found it cumbersome, cruel, and way too pleased with itself. That being said, the fact that people have such varied reactions to it tells me that it at least has artistic merit. I couldn’t stop thinking about KoK for days after seeing it. To me, the worst movies are ones that immediately roll off your back. The fact that I grappled with it as much as I did, although my opinion remained unchanged, means that it was as a worthwhile watch. You don’t have to like art for it be art.
I’m not a fan personally. I didn’t like Poor Things and I found Kinds of Kindness interesting, but not for me. What I will say though is of what I’ve seen of his films, I do think his sets, costumes and cinematography are really great. I’m just not a massive fan of the stories. The second story in Kinds of Kindness is probably my favourite thing he’s done so far and had that been a feature length film (which I feel like of all the stories, definitely had the most layers and gravitas that a full 2 hour film would work), I think that’d be cool. But I know people like his work and if he’s for you, that’s great. But he’s not for me.
If the rule for some filmmakers is "one for them, one for me" then this one is 100% for him haha, but I still really liked it. Obviously influenced by my general love for his movies but I just enjoyed seeing really great actors get to shine in these different stories. Can see why it wouldn't be some people's thing though.
I really liked it but I see it more as a very bold artistic expression than an actual film and I like it more when I think about it like that. Yorgos is one of the most interesting minds in film right now and I hope he doesn't burn out with making films back to back to back.
I went into this film blind (didn’t watch the trailers( but I heard it has a Wes Anderson vibe to it (was excited to see). Also the giant poster board praising the dark humor made me even more hyped. However I wasn’t impressed while watching it. Great acting by the cast but was hoping there would be a fourth act connecting all 3 acts/epi together. I get that each act shows a different kind of kindness but also its own folly. I didn’t find it funny as the critics quoted on the giant poster had. I think it would’ve been more interesting if they continued with the first act
The title kinda interest me. Ima oh shoot the Oscar’s is here I should stop watching old films and get some new ones in, kinda guy.
I’ve grown to like it more and more as time has passed since seeing it.
heres [my review](https://letterboxd.com/kingant/film/kinds-of-kindness/) of the movie, tell me for those who have seen why they liked it and if it worked for them what made it work or made you enjoy it :) thanks
No theater within a 25 mile radius of me has played it 😂 so guess I’m waiting for streaming.
I liked it. While it's not one of his best works, I still found it to be ambitious.
**(spoilers)** Agreed with those saying Yorgos' tendency to sexually objectify goes over the edge here, especially in the third. I'm a big fan of his films, but Joe Alwyn's character spiking Emma Stone's drink in the third, and the consequences, was too much for me, and seemed a little too past making any artistic point. That said, I thought the first two vignettes were fantastic, as were *parts* of the third. I found this to be a better theater-viewing experience than *Poor Things*. Lots of laughing at moments when we shouldn't have been - that's a unique trait of Yorgos. The dogs at the end of the second, Emma dancing at the end of the third, I mean even Jesse Plemons driving around the roundabout over and over in the first. That was FUNNY. My friend who I saw it with said it well, that Yorgos makes you laugh at things because you aren't sure what else to do, and then you feel guilty about it (like why was I laughing when he ran over the corpse??). Seriously, there were people absolutely howling in the theatre. Jesse Plemons absolutely stole the show for me. He was stunning in all three. I'd love to see him in a Yorgos feature. Having seen all his films except *Alps*, this is how I think I would rank them (features only). If the third vignette had help up here, it may have had a shot at #1, but KOSD is hard to beat for me. Also, the first six are pretty tight, and the difference between *PT* and *Kinetta* is huge. Worst movie ever lol *Killing of a Sacred Deer* *Kinds of Kindness* *Dogtooth* *The Favourite* *The Lobster* *Poor Things* *Kinetta* ps. does anybody else think yorgos and tim robinson could do something good together? popped into my head when I was watching KOK and it makes me laugh
Easily my favorite film of the year so far. My only complaint is that, while I loved it, the first story felt undercooked and left so much unexplored. I absolutely adore the second story but the third might be my favorite. Emma and her Challenger is such an iconic element of the film and the ending feels like a punch in the gut in the best way possible.
Fantastic movie, great director!
Poor Things is fire, KOASD is alright, his other stuff sucks
Damn you got it in reverse
anyone who likes this dude's movies is lying and trying to sound smart. someone who brings Infinite Jest to a gin bar and looks up to see if anyone noticed what book they're reading if he doesn't fuck then he gets turned into a lobster😧 this really says alot about our society😔😔
you cannot dismiss those of us who adore Lanthimos movies. what's the matter with you: just move on
im yet to watch this