Kinds of Kindness explores fanaticism in the bizarre style of Yorgos Lanthimos

Since The Sacrifice of the Sacred Deer (2017), Yorgos Lanthimos did not design a feature-length narrative with ordinary and typical situations of the common man like the one presented in Types of Kindnesswhich hits Brazilian cinemas starting this Thursday (22).

In the interval between the two, the director released The Favorite (2018), a period film about 18th-century British royalty, and Poor Creatures (2023), an erotic fantasy that mixes comedy and science fiction, considered by many to be a contemporary and feminine version of Frankenstein.

The proposal of Types of Kindnesshowever, flirts with the director’s first works, in which absurd and bizarre situations are experienced by everyday characters. And this has a very specific reason: while the partnership with Emma Stone remains strong and steady — the actress appears in the filmmaker’s last three films —, the work with Tony McNamarascreenwriter of his last two releases, comes to an end — at least for now — and Lanthimos returns to share the credits with Efthymis Filippouresponsible for Canine tooth (2009), Alps (2011) and The Lobster (2015).

In addition to the change in staff, Types of Kindness draws attention to the “Oscar-winning” names in the cast. The only winner of the coveted statuette is Emma Stone — by La La Land (2016) and this year for his work in Poor Creatures -, but Jesse Plemons (Dog Attack), Willem Dafoe (At Eternity’s Gate) and Hong Chau (The Whale) are notable names.

It will also not be a surprise if Margaret Qualley (Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood) will join them as a nominee soon, given that her career is on the rise. It is also worth noting that Plemons He hasn’t won an Oscar yet, but at the last Cannes Film Festival he was elected Best Actor for his performance in Types of Kindness. Or would they be performances?

The new film by Yorgos Lanthimos presents three intertwined stories that explore the unpredictable paths of life and the personal challenges of its protagonists. In the first of them, a man (Jesse Plemons) seeks to regain control of his life after losing his way on a path of devotion.

In the second, a police officer (the same Plemons) tries to rebuild his relationship with his wife (Emma Stone), who mysteriously returns after a period of disappearance. Finally, a determined woman (again Stone), involved in a spiritual sect, sets out in search of a person with unique abilities, on a journey that promises to test his faith and convictions.

You may notice the typical weirdness of Lanthimos right off the bat, with the repetition of actors in different roles. It’s interesting to see Plemons, Stone, Dafoe, Qualley and other names in the cast venturing out — and having fun — in a premise that embraces the sadistic and the perfidious in a way that hasn’t been seen in the director’s filmography for a long time.

These so-called “types of kindness” are more like types of fanaticism, a characteristic present in all segments. In the first, depending on the character of Plemons by the Dafoe; in the second, in the devotion of the character of Stone by the Plemons; and in the last, in the subjection of the character of Stone by a sect and its leaders, lived by Dafoe and Bye.

To Lanthimosexploring the way in which these relations of power and servitude can exceed the limits of rationality is an exercise worthy of his rather pessimistic signature. More than causing strangeness, he wants to make us laugh with it.

As we adapt to the bizarre situations, Types of Kindness is turning out to be a typical film that will divide opinions for embracing sadism and exploiting women. Some will say it is misogynistic and banal, but for others, like me, it is possible to observe when the animal instinct, present in every human being, is exposed in such an irrational way in a society that was not built to face it.

There are several moments like this, from a police officer groping an inmate to the bizarre dance of Stone — present in the trailer —, but the sequence of the dinner scene, in the second segment, when the three characters go to the bedroom is the essence of how certain things should stay between four walls. And look there!

As with any anthology, some of the stories are more interesting than others, and that will be up to you to decide — but, as a curiosity, know that this writer’s favorite is the second one.

This is a problem with films edited this way, the following segments of the first one have the need to surpass what we have already seen previously, which, in my opinion, the last one fails to achieve, although I see Stone accelerating a metallic purple Dodge Challenger is delicious.

In general, Types of Kindness is far from being one of the best movies on the shelf Lanthimos and it may not please everyone, but for those who are fanatical about it, it is a must-have.

What was the best movie of 2024 so far? Vote for your favorite!

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