Kinds of Kindness explained: What is the movie really about?

As a cinephile with a keen eye for storytelling and symbolism, I must say that Lanthimos’ latest masterpiece, “Kinds of Kindness,” has left me spellbound. The film is not just a collection of three distinct stories; it’s a haunting exploration of power, control, and the lengths people will go to preserve their toxic relationships.

Viewers in the UK can now stream “Types of Kindness” on Disney+, while those in the US can find it on Hulu. This presents a chance for everyone to delve into and solve the show’s many puzzles.

After being utterly captivated by Yorgos Lanthimos’ masterpiece, “Poor Things,” I can’t help but eagerly anticipate his next cinematic offering. Unlike the typical crowd-pleaser, this upcoming film challenges us in a thought-provoking journey with Emma Stone once again gracing our screens. The Greek director delves into themes such as power, affection, cruelty, and (surprisingly) compassion, weaving them together in a dark trilogy that leaves many questions unanswered.

Featuring Willem Dafoe, Jesse Plemons, Joe Alwyn, Hong Chau, Mamoudou Athie, and Margaret Qualley, the film Kinds of Kindness comprises three distinct narratives that are united by a single thread: they all involve the same principal actors and an enigmatic figure called RMF.

Here we delve into what it is all about. Major spoilers ahead!

Kinds of Kindness explained: How do the stories end?

In our previous discussion, you’ll find that the narrative titled “Kinds of Kindness” consists of three distinct stories. These stories share a common thread as they all feature the same group of characters, each portraying different roles in each tale. Additionally, there is a character named RMF who will be further detailed later on.

In the initial narrative called ‘The Demise of Robert Fletcher’, a man named Robert Fletcher, employed in an office setting, finds himself under the strict supervision and direction of his superior, Raymond, who dictates every facet of Robert’s personal life. (Plemons plays Robert, while Dafoe portrays Raymond)

One day, Raymond asks Robert to deliberately wreck his vehicle with the intention of causing harm to RMF, putting his own life on the line. Initially, Robert attempts to follow these instructions, but the outcome is only minor injuries sustained by both men. However, he subsequently decides against continuing to carry out such orders.

Raymond dismisses Robert, informing him that he is now “unemployed” or “out of a job”. Yet, without a superior guiding him, Robert appears uncertain and at a loss as to how to manage his time and responsibilities.

1. After admitting to Sarah (Stone) that he was the cause of her miscarriages under Raymond’s orders, she leaves him and vanishes. In a desperate attempt to regain Raymond’s good graces, Robert completes the task he had begun – he repeatedly runs over RMF with his car.

The story ends with Robert making up with Robert and embracing him and his lover Vivian (Qualley).

In the tale titled ‘RMF Is Flying’, a marine biologist by the name of Liz (originally Stone) reappears following a stint lost at sea. However, her partner Daniel (Plemons) harbors doubts, insisting that she is not the woman he knows.

He notices some differences, like their cat acting aggressively and some of her clothes not fitting her properly. Daniel becomes increasingly suspicious, and asks her to move out. Soon after he suffers a mental breakdown, which leads to his suspension as a police officer.

As my girlfriend Liz returned home, I found myself consumed by an unease that gnawed at me like a relentless monster. My appetite disappeared entirely, replaced by an unquenchable thirst for something twisted and inexplicable. One day, I mustered the courage to ask her for something unthinkable – to mutilate herself and prepare meals from her body parts, as that was the only sustenance that seemed appealing to me.

In the finale, a different Liz returns home, prompting Daniel to welcome her with an embrace. Was Daniel correct in his suspicions that Liz was an impostor, or was this tender moment merely a product of his imagination? The film leaves this question unanswered.

During the end credits, there’s a scene showing dogs behaving as if they were humans, reminiscent of a dream that Liz had just before she passed away.

In the third tale, titled ‘RMF Eats a Sandwich’, characters Emily (Stone) and Andrew (Plemons), belonging to a peculiar group, are on a quest for a remarkable woman who can resurrect the deceased. Guided by cult leaders Omi (Dafoe) and Aka (Chau), these members undergo purity tests where their sweat is tasted after they’ve been in a heated sauna.

In their search, they come across a possible candidate, Rebecca Qualley, who thinks her sister Ruth Qualley could be the person they are seeking. However, if this is indeed the case, then Rebecca should already be deceased according to the prophecy, which leads them to disregard this lead.

Whenever possible, Emily makes time to see her estranged husband, Joseph (Alwyn), and their daughter. During one of these visits, Joseph secretly drugs Emily’s drink and takes advantage of her while she is unconscious. As a result of being discovered “impure” for engaging in sexual activities outside the leaders Omi and Aka’s approval, Emily is expelled from their group.

Nevertheless, she remains resolute in locating the mystical woman, hence she renews her search for Rebecca to encounter her sibling Ruth. In a bid to make the prophecy come true, Rebecca takes her own life. Emily then demonstrates Ruth’s powers by reviving RMF at the morgue.

Sadly, on their way back to the cult’s main base, Emily has an accident that proves fatal for her passenger, Ruth. However, rest assured, RMF enjoys a sandwich during the credits, thanks to his unexpected return from the dead.

So what is Kinds of Kindness really about?

In the cinematic world of director Yorgos Lanthimos, there is a consistent dance between profoundly examining human nature and intentionally creating absurd situations. This balance is evident in his latest work, Kinds of Kindness, as well.

In an interview with Indiewire, Lanthimos explained that their approach to storytelling is not analytical, meaning they don’t explicitly identify the central theme of their work. He also mentioned that initially, they had ten different ideas for the movie from which they eventually chose one.

The chosen tales seemed to belong to a single universe, despite not being fully fleshed out yet, prompting us to think, “These narratives complement each other well.” As development proceeded, various connections emerged naturally.

The creation process isn’t logical or analytical; it doesn’t begin with a specific theme like faith or control. In fact, such themes often don’t come into play until well after the work is completed, and sometimes not at all during the creative journey.

Initially, it might not have been written that way, but “Kinds of Kindness” clearly delves into themes of control, power, and sacrifice. Just how far are some individuals willing to push boundaries in their distorted relationships, whether they’re the oppressors or the oppressed?

The lyrics of ‘Sweet Dreams’, a main tune in the movie, come to mind instantly.

In this world, everyone seems to be searching for something. For some, it’s about exploiting others, while for others, they desire to be exploited. Regrettably, there are those who seek to mistreat you, and equally unfortunate, there are those who wish to be mistreated.

Characters in Kinds of Kindness are all on a journey, each striving for something significant. For instance, one character is trying to earn recognition from their employer, another yearns for their partner’s love, and a third seeks acceptance within a new community, having been estranged from her own family.

Consequently, it appears that they fail to recognize the ways they’re being controlled or how to shift the balance of power in their harmful relationships. Alternatively, they might tolerate these situations as a means to find some semblance of order in their lives.

In a conversation with the Associated Press, Lanthimos shared that Albert Camus’ play “Caligula” served as his inspiration. He expressed, “I found myself contemplating the power one individual wields over others’ existences.”

After pondering, it seemed intriguing to delve into a topic with a more intimate perspective: what if I were completely controlled, not just by someone, but in every tiny aspect of my life?

Initially, we began drafting this piece, but soon, we found ourselves desiring to explore the structure a bit more. That’s when the concept of creating a triptych emerged.

Who is RMF in Kinds of Kindness?

In the novel “Kinds of Kindness“, the most intriguing enigma revolves around the true identity of RMF, who is the sole character present in every tale but lacks a significant or active part in any of them.

1. Story One: Robert takes his life.

In his own words, Lanthimos described it as a hidden link tying the three tales together, apart from the fact that the same performers portray distinct characters in all of them.

In our story, we aimed to avoid a character who would make multiple appearances, instead preferring one with limited screen time. Yet, this character’s impact on the plot was significant and crucial. Feel free to interpret this scenario in whichever way suits your creative process or personal insights.

Lanthimos explained that the character RMF doesn’t represent anyone specifically, because he intentionally kept this significant enigma unsolved.

Kinds of Kindness is now available to watch on Disney+.

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2024-08-30 11:19