Kinds of Kindness - Theme Analysis

Kinds of Kindness - Theme Analysis

I’ve seen a lot of critique that Kinds of Kindness doesn’t offer a lot of terms of thematic depth and although I do think the connection between the stories are intentionally not super important, I did find that each story had dramatic depth and aligns fairly well with the metaphorical nature of Yorgos’ earlier films. Here’s a breakdown:

(Some of them want to use you. Some of them want to be used by you.) In the first story of, the film explores the toxic power dynamics between an employee and an employer. Willem Dafoe's character symbolizes not just a boss but the overarching influence of corporations on personal lives. The narrative highlights how livelihoods—houses, cars, relationships—are deeply intertwined with one's job and, consequently, with one's employer. This story critiques how employers can exploit and push employees to their limits, only to discard them when they resist or stand up for themselves. Jesse Plemons' character experiences this firsthand; when he asserts his boundaries, he faces severe repercussions, leading to the unraveling of his life. This depiction serves as a dark, cynical commentary on how individuals, under capitalism, are forced to maintain toxic relationships with their employers to survive, often at great personal cost.

(Some of them want to abuse you. Some of them want to be abused.) The second story delves into the fantasies we create about people within relationships, especially when distance is involved (in this case when someone goes missing). It examines how we often construct an idealized version of someone in our minds. When reality confronts this fantasy, and the person doesn't align with our expectations, we might resort to interpersonal conflict or even abuse to force them into fitting our imagined version. In this story, Emma Stone's character literally sacrifices parts of herself to match the fantasy Jesse Plemons' character has constructed. This self-destructive transformation underscores the dark consequences of trying to mold someone into an idealized version. Ultimately, Jesse's character achieves his fantasy, which is presented as an unrealistic miracle, commenting on how people often impose their unrealistic expectations on others, sometimes to their detriment.

(Everybody’s looking for something.) The third story explores the complex relationship between faith and community, using a cult as a metaphor for organized belief systems. Faith can provide a sense of connection and community, but this comes at a cost. In the story, Emma Stone's character is punished and outcast for reconnecting with her family, which the cult manipulates as a toxicity. Not to mention the fact that’s Jesse’s character basically outs her because of his own affection for the cult leader. This narrative then highlights the extremes to which individuals will go to maintain their faith or community ties, even at the expense of their own morality. The story critiques how some communities or belief systems demand sacrifices that compromise personal ethics, suggesting that any community requiring such sacrifices may not be worth the connection it offers. It’s a cynical commentary on how the need for belonging can lead to compromising one’s values.

Would love to hear what others got out of these stories!