Delving into the Absurdity of Kinds of Kindness: A Deep Dive Required

Alright, so I just got out of "Kinds of Kindness," and I'm... processing. Yorgos Lanthimos, whoever he may be, is back to his deliciously unsettling strangeness, and I'm not sure if I loved it or just admired its audacity. It's definitely not a casual watch, folks. Prepare to be challenged, possibly confused, and maybe even a little disturbed. The whole triptych structure is fascinating, with the same actors playing completely different, often grotesque, roles. Jesse Plemons, Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe – they all commit fully to the bizarre scenarios Lanthimos throws their way. Plemons, in particular, is fantastic as the obedient drone in the first segment, then utterly transforms in the other stories. I was especially gripped by the second segment, the one where the policeman's wife returns different. The scene in the diner when he has to prove his love by purposely harming people? Absolutely stomach-churning, but so, so effective in showcasing the twisted logic of the world Lanthimos creates. Its all just so strangely…off. Like a slightly bent tuning fork. That being said, it's not without its flaws. At nearly three hours, it feels a bit indulgent. Some of the symbolism felt a little too on the nose, or maybe I'm just not smart enough to get it. It has that issue sometimes where I felt the meaning was so obtuse, and so personal to the director, that it has trouble landing for me. And the third segment did start to lose steam a bit for me; I felt like I got the point already, you know? The constant testing and manipulation – it can become repetitive. Overall, "Kinds of Kindness" is a film that will linger in your mind long after the credits roll. It's not a pleasant experience, but it's a thought-provoking one. If you're a fan of Lanthimos' earlier work, you'll probably find something to appreciate here. But be warned: this is not your average feel-good flick. Go in prepared for some truly weird, demanding cinema.