Streaming Success of “Kinds of Kindness”
Yorgos Lanthimos’s film “Kinds of Kindness,” co-written with Efthimis Filippou, initially faced a lukewarm reception at the box office. However, it has since found a new audience and gained popularity on streaming platforms. The 2024 film weaves together three loosely connected narratives: a man under his boss’s complete control, a police officer whose wife mysteriously returns after being lost at sea, and a woman on a quest to find a destined spiritual leader. The cast includes Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, Hong Chau, and Mamoudou Athie, each taking on multiple roles, with Hunter Schafer making a cameo appearance.
Despite its initial box office disappointment, “Kinds of Kindness” has become a streaming hit on Hulu. During the week of August 29 to September 4, it climbed to third place on Reelgood’s Top 10 Movies and achieved the seventh spot on their overall streaming chart. It trailed only behind “A Quiet Place: Day One” and “The Fall Guy” in movie rankings that week.
Analyzing “Kinds of Kindness” Reception
Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone’s Creative Partnership
“Kinds of Kindness” marks another collaboration between director Yorgos Lanthimos and actress Emma Stone, following their previous projects: the acclaimed 2018 film “The Favourite,” the 2022 short film “Bleat,” and 2023’s “Poor Things.” The latter was both a critical and commercial triumph, grossing over $117 million on a $35 million budget and earning four Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Stone. Consequently, expectations were high for “Kinds of Kindness.”
Critical and Audience Reactions
Kinds Of Kindness Ending Explained
The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, garnering generally positive reviews and a 71% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised it for its sharp, dark humor and Lanthimos’s signature cynical style. However, upon its theatrical release in June, “Kinds of Kindness” struggled at the box office, earning just $14.9 million. Audience reactions were mixed due to its unconventional and eccentric storylines, reflected in a 48% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, now known as the Popcornmeter.
Understanding the Streaming Success
The Element of Surprise
Emma Stone, renowned for her talent and recognized with Academy Awards for “La La Land” and “Poor Things,” draws in audiences with her star power. Her involvement alone piques interest in streaming “Kinds of Kindness.” However, many viewers may not be prepared for the film’s unapologetically absurdist nature. It’s likely that only the most dedicated fans of Yorgos Lanthimos truly appreciate its unique blend of absurdism and stellar performances.
Source: Reelgood
Kinds of Kindness (2024)
- Comedy
- Drama
Kinds of Kindness is a 2024 comedy-drama film by writer-director Yorgos Lanthimos. Split across segments, Kinds of Kindness tells the stories of a man trying to reclaim his destiny, a police officer whose wife returns after being lost at sea only to seem like a different person, and a woman tasked with finding a future spiritual leader.
