“Kinds of Kindness” is a 2024 film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and co-written by Lanthimos and Efthimis Filippou. The film is structured as a triptych, featuring three distinct yet thematically interconnected stories, with the same ensemble cast appearing in different roles throughout. Each tale explores themes of domination, control, and the human desire for meaning, all presented through Lanthimos’s signature blend of absurdist humor, surrealism, and unsettling violence.
“The Death of R.M.F.”
Story one stars Jesse Plemons as Robert Fletcher, Willem Dafoe as Raymond, and Hong Chau as Sarah. Robert, a diligent office worker, lives under the absolute control of his boss, Raymond, who dictates everything from his diet to when he and his wife may conceive. When Raymond commands Robert to commit murder—killing a man identified only as “R.M.F.” Robert resists.
Robert’s refusal to kill R.M.F. results in him being stripped of his job, possessions, and even his marriage.
Desperate to regain order, Robert eventually kidnaps and brutally kills R.M.F. by running him over repeatedly, regaining his boss’s approval at the cost of his morality.
“R.M.F. Is Flying”
Story 2 stars Jesse Plemons as Daniel and Emma Stone as Liz.
Daniel, a police officer, is reunited with his wife, Liz, a marine biologist who was presumed lost at sea. Liz’s sudden reappearance is presented with surreal calmness, as if nothing is amiss, but Daniel’s suspicions fester. Her behavior is subtly altered, leading Daniel to believe she has been replaced by an imposter. His paranoia spirals into obsession. Daniel subjects Liz to cruel “tests” to prove her identity, including bizarre rituals and interrogations. Convinced she is not his wife, Daniel murders her—only to be left hollow, his paranoia unresolved.
“R.M.F. Eats a Sandwich”
Story 3 stars Emma Stone as Emily, Jesse Plemons as Andrew, Willem Dafoe as Omi (the cult leader), Hong Chau as Aka, Margaret Qualley as Rebecca, and Joe Alwyn as Emily’s husband.
This story follows members of a cult that worships a leader named Omi. The cult seeks a prophesied woman with the power to raise the dead. Emily and Andrew are tasked with finding her.
Stark, eerie ceremonies where followers obey Omi’s cryptic commands, including acts of cruelty and self-denial. Emily and Andrew discover Rebecca, a young woman believed to have resurrection powers.
Emily is haunted by memories of her abusive husband, clouding her faith in the mission. The cult’s prophecy collapses into chaos, leaving Emily disillusioned but still tethered to her yearning for meaning.
The three stories in the film thematically revolve around similar concepts, particularly the tension between Control and Autonomy. Each narrative examines different systems of domination—whether corporate, domestic, or spiritual. Additionally, the film delves into themes of Identity and Paranoia, as the line between reality and illusion blurs, driving characters towards madness. True to Lanthimos’s trademark style, there is an element of Dark Absurdity where cruelty and violence are presented with deadpan humor, revealing humanity’s tendency to cling to authority in exchange for a semblance of order.
The triptych concludes with a surreal post-credits image of “R.M.F.” himself, a cryptic callback that ties the three tales together. “Kinds of Kindness” is both disturbing and darkly comic.
The Other Cinema 