Even in Yorgos Lanthimos’ more straightforward films like The Favourite, you can always expect something wonderfully strange. Lanthimos is known for his unique storytelling style and bizarre sense of humor. The Lobster and The Killing of a Sacred Deer are two films that introduced his distinct approach to a broader audience.
Initially, you might find his unusual dialogue and peculiar vocabulary challenging to understand. However, the actors in his films fully embrace these quirks, making it easier for audiences to become engrossed in the story.
After the success of Poor Things, which garnered several Oscar nominations including Best Actress for Emma Stone, many were eager to see Lanthimos’ latest work, Kinds of Kindness. Now that it’s available for streaming on Hulu, it offers a chance to show his delightfully odd style even further.
What Is Kinds of Kindness About?
Kinds of Kindness is structured in three separate segments. Each segment tells a different story, yet the main cast members appear in various roles across these segments, linking them through recurring themes. Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons are central to the film, delivering some of their most compelling performances.
They take on complex characters with a dedication that showcases their remarkable acting skills. The supporting cast includes Willem Dafoe, Hong Chau, Margaret Qualley, Joe Alwyn, and Mamoudou Athie.
Yorgos Stefanakos plays R.M.F., a name that appears throughout the film. Each part of the film addresses themes of love, personal connections, and the often harmful effects of extreme devotion, all within a peculiar and absurdist framework.
‘The Death of R.M.F.’ Blurs the Line Between Love and Obedience
Part 1 of Kinds of Kindness
The first segment of the film, titled The Death of R.M.F., focuses on Robert (played by Jesse Plemons), a man who is deeply devoted to his enigmatic and controlling boss, Raymond (played by Willem Dafoe).
Raymond has given Robert many things: his wife, Sarah (played by Hong Chau), his car, his house, and essentially every important aspect of his life. In exchange, Robert follows Raymond’s every command without question. This includes not only the mundane aspects of his life, like what he eats, but also more intimate aspects, such as when he can be with his wife.
The story takes a dark turn when Raymond orders Robert to deliberately get into a car accident. The accident is meant to involve a man named R.M.F., who is struck at an intersection. Robert agrees to this dangerous task, fully aware of the potential consequences.
He is only slightly injured in the accident and does not require hospitalization. However, Raymond is not satisfied with this outcome and demands that Robert attempt the accident again. This time, Robert fears that making the accident more severe could fatally harm R.M.F., and he refuses to comply with Raymond’s order.
As a result of his refusal, Raymond “fires” Robert. This action cuts off all ties between them, including Robert’s access to Raymond’s intimate circle, which includes Raymond’s lover, Vivian (played by Margaret Qualley). Robert’s life quickly unravels.
His wife leaves him, and he struggles to find direction or purpose. In his desperation, Robert tries to win over Rita (played by Emma Stone) using the same manipulative techniques Raymond taught him. Initially, this approach seems to work. However, things take a grim turn when Rita ends up in the hospital.
Robert discovers that Rita has become Raymond’s new subject, and her accident was orchestrated as part of the plan to hit R.M.F. with her car.
In a desperate attempt to regain Raymond’s favor, Robert takes the unconscious R.M.F. from the hospital and runs him over repeatedly with his car, killing him in the process. This act finally satisfies Raymond’s demands, and Robert is welcomed back into the fold with Raymond and Vivian.
The scenario presented is profoundly defeating. After escaping the grasp of his tormentor, Robert finds that his quest for vindication only leads to more sorrow. Despite finding temporary comfort in being welcomed back by Raymond and Vivian, Robert ends up in a worse position than before.
His attempt at freedom only brings him back to square one, with even less than he had before. This cyclical dilemma perfectly illustrates the emptiness and growing doubt that accompanies unquestioned servitude and abuse.
‘R.M.F. Is Flying’ Puts Proving Oneself to the Most Gruesome Tests
Part 2 of Kinds of Kindness
The second segment, R.M.F. Is Flying, presents a new set of characters and a different but equally intense story. In this part, Daniel (played by Jesse Plemons) is a police officer who has recently lost his wife, Liz (played by Emma Stone), who went missing at sea. R.M.F., a helicopter pilot, rescues Liz and returns her to Daniel, seemingly unharmed.
Despite this, Daniel becomes increasingly paranoid, suspecting that the woman who has returned is not truly his wife.
Daniel’s paranoia is triggered by several oddities: Liz’s shoes no longer fit, their cat behaves strangely around her, and she suddenly enjoys chocolate, which she previously hated. Adding to Daniel’s distress, “Liz” tells him that she is pregnant.
His paranoia leads him to ask her to leave, and he spirals into a state of extreme anxiety and irrational behavior. During a traffic stop, Daniel impulsively shoots a passenger (played by Joe Alwyn) and, in a disturbing display, licks the blood off the ground.
Despite the growing discomfort and tension, Daniel and “Liz” continue their relationship. “Liz” recounts a bizarre dream to her father (played by Willem Dafoe) and tells her doctor that Daniel has abused her, attributing his behavior to his medication.
Daniel’s paranoia escalates to the point where he demands that “Liz” undergo self-mutilation. First, he requests that she cut off a finger for him to eat, and she complies. When he demands more, she removes her liver.
By the time Daniel returns home, “Liz” is dead. Moments later, the real Liz (an identical woman also played by Emma Stone) arrives at the door, and Daniel and she embrace lovingly.
The story shows two parallel truths. In the fantastical sense, Daniel’s suspicion is tested through extreme physical demands placed on the “impostor,” leading to her death and the return of his true wife. In reality, the segment reflects a man who is deeply dissatisfied with himself and projects his personal shortcomings onto his spouse.
Unable to confront his own issues, Daniel imposes impossible expectations on his wife, ultimately leading to her destruction. This segment combines elements of fantasy and reality to illustrate how delusion can justify abusive behavior.
Themes and Analysis
Kinds of Kindness employs a darkly comic lens to show themes of devotion, control, and the psychological toll of manipulation. Each part of the film highlights different aspects of these themes, creating a complex narrative that challenges viewers to reflect on the nature of power and obedience.
The first segment, The Death of R.M.F., portrays a disturbing cycle of loyalty and manipulation. Robert’s blind devotion to Raymond leads him to commit increasingly extreme acts, ultimately resulting in his return to a life of submission. This story examines how manipulation and control can distort personal relationships and lead to self-destructive behavior.
The second segment, R.M.F. Is Flying, goes into the effects of paranoia and the need to prove oneself. Daniel’s suspicion of his wife leads him to impose brutal tests of loyalty, reflecting a deeper dissatisfaction with himself. The segment illustrates how personal flaws and insecurities can manifest as abusive behavior towards others.
Kinds of Kindness is a thought-provoking film that uses dark comedy to show complex themes. Lanthimos’ distinctive style and approach to storytelling offer a unique perspective on the consequences of extreme devotion and manipulation. The film’s scheme of these themes is both unsettling and insightful, providing a rich narrative experience for viewers.
Conclusion
Kinds of Kindness is a dark comedy that challenges traditional notions of love, loyalty, and control. Through its complex narratives and unique storytelling style, the film provides deep and thought-provoking views of these themes.
Whether you are a fan of Yorgos Lanthimos’ previous works or new to his style, Kinds of Kindness offers a compelling and unsettling look at the impact of extreme devotion and manipulation on personal relationships.
The film’s availability on Hulu provides an opportunity for viewers to experience Lanthimos’ distinctive approach to storytelling and gain insight into the complex themes he shows. As with his previous works, Kinds of Kindness promises to be a thought-provoking and memorable addition to Lanthimos’ filmography.
In Kinds of Kindness, Yorgos Lanthimos delivers a darkly comedic seen of devotion and control through three interwoven stories. The first part, The Death of R.M.F., depicts Robert’s extreme loyalty to his manipulative boss, Raymond, leading him to commit heinous acts in exchange for fleeting comfort.
The story illustrates the destructive cycle of blind obedience and manipulation. The second segment, R.M.F. Is Flying, follows Daniel, a police officer whose paranoia over his returned wife drives him to impose brutal tests of loyalty, reflecting deeper personal dissatisfaction and abusive behavior.
Each story presents a unique perspective on the consequences of obsessive devotion and the psychological toll of control.
Lanthimos’ film combines absurdist humor with a profound examination of human relationships, offering a unique and unsettling narrative experience. Available on Hulu, Kinds of Kindness continues Lanthimos’ tradition of thought-provoking and provocative storytelling.
