Cannes Film Festival Gives Nod to Lanthimos' Latest Work: Kinds of Kindness Strikes Critic Chord

Grace Edwards 20 May 2024

The latest film by the acclaimed director of Poor Things, Yorgos Lanthimos, titled Kinds of Kindness, has premiered to outstanding acclaim from critics, evidenced by its stellar Rotten Tomatoes rating.

Having made its grand entrance at the Cannes Film Festival, the film boasts a remarkable 92% approval rating from critics across 25 reviews to date.

Variety has praised the film for its length and striking originality, stating it captivates and perplexes, offering an unconventional, absurdist look at contemporary life, maintaining interest throughout, though it requires viewers to acclimate to Lanthimos' distinctive style. Collider comments, minor criticisms notwithstanding, this release showcases a less restrained version of Lanthimos, which enhances the film's appeal, showcasing his strength in disturbing the equilibrium.

Deadline offers a mixed review, describing the newest Lanthimos project as enigmatic, ingenious, yet challenging to enjoy, questioning the deep messages of the exceptionally inscrutable creator.

However, opinions diverge with Kinds of Kindness attracting criticism in our own 2-star review, noting its compelling setups reminiscent of The Twilight Zone and potentially influenced by Franz Kafka. The film, though, is criticized for its grim tone and peculiar dialogue which overshadows its humor, rendering its deeper thematic explorations on dominance, sexuality, and governance less impactful.

TIME Magazine describes Kinds of Kindness, penned by Lanthimos and his regular writing partner Efthimis Filippou, as stiff, tedious, and dull, despite its attempts to engage audiences with its unique brand of surprises.

The movie weaves together three narratives and features a formidable ensemble cast including Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, Hong Chau, Joe Alwyn, Mamoudou Athie, and Hunter Schafer.

Slated for release on June 21 in the U.S. and a week later on June 28 in the U.K., Kinds of Kindness is poised for its audience debut. Meanwhile, stay updated with our comprehensive guide to upcoming major film release dates to plan your future cinema endeavors.