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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Kinds of Kindness

Kinds of Kindness is a 2024 anthology film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Kinds of Kindness is a 2024 anthology comedy drama film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. The film features three loosely connected stories with the same ensemble cast playing different roles, exploring themes of control, identity, and devotion. It was released theatrically in North America on June 28, 2024, and received wide coverage in Canadian entertainment media.

Premise

Kinds of Kindness is an anthology film made up of three interconnected stories. Each segment features the same performers in new roles and explores power, dependence, and identity. The plot summaries describe a man under his boss’s control, a policeman suspicious of his wife’s return, and a woman seeking a prophesied spiritual guide.

Cast

The main ensemble includes Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, and Hong Chau. Sources note that the actors portray different characters across the three stories.

Release

The film was released theatrically in the United States on June 28, 2024. Some coverage also identifies June 21, 2024 as an initial theatrical date.

Reception

Reviews describe the film as ambitious, bleak, and darkly comic, though reception was mixed to divisive. Critics frequently emphasized its surreal style and its focus on control and human behaviour. The film is associated with Lanthimos’s earlier work such as The Lobster and Dogtooth in tone and style.

Key facts

  • The film is structured as three loosely connected stories using the same ensemble cast in different roles.
  • Its central cast includes Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, and Hong Chau.
  • The plot summaries describe a man under his boss’s control, a policeman suspicious of his wife’s return, and a woman seeking a prophesied spiritual guide.
  • Reviewers describe it as dark, surreal, and divisive, with themes of control and human relationships.
  • The film is associated with Lanthimos’s earlier work such as The Lobster and Dogtooth in tone and style.
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Canadian context

The film had Canadian relevance through its North American theatrical release and wide coverage in Canadian and Canadian-accessible entertainment media; it also appeared in the English-language market shared by Canadian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

What is Kinds of Kindness about?
It is an anthology film with three loosely connected stories about a man trying to escape control, a policeman worried his wife has returned changed, and a woman searching for a prophesied spiritual guide.
Who is in the cast of Kinds of Kindness?
The principal cast includes Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, and Hong Chau, with the same actors playing different roles across the stories.
When was Kinds of Kindness released?
It was released in U.S. theatres on June 28, 2024; some sources also cite June 21, 2024 as an earlier theatrical date.
Is Kinds of Kindness a sequel?
No. It is described as an original anthology film by Yorgos Lanthimos, not a sequel.
What are the reviews of Kinds of Kindness?
Reviews were mixed to divisive. Critics praised its bold, surreal style and recurring themes, while some found it bleak, difficult, or less successful than Lanthimos’s earlier films.

References

  1. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22408160/
    Supports: Basic synopsis and film identification.
  2. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/kinds-of-kindness-film-review-2024
    Supports: Themes, style, and critical interpretation.
  3. Digital Spy — https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a61981948/kinds-of-kindness-explained/
    Supports: Three-story structure and recurring cast.
  4. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/kinds-of-kindness
    Supports: Plot outline, cast, runtime, and release information.
  5. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/kinds_of_kindness
    Supports: Synopsis, genre, rating, and theatrical release date.
  6. USA Today — https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2024/06/29/kinds-of-kindness-movie-explained/74161058007/
    Supports: Anthology structure and story explanations.