Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be clear: this is not a family movie, not a teen movie, not even a casual date night movie. Kinds of Kindness is Yorgos Lanthimos at his most deliberately provocative—a three-part anthology loaded with graphic sex, disturbing violence, and deeply unsettling psychological themes.

The critics gave it a mild thumbs-up (71%), but audiences were split (51%), and that audience score tells the real story. Even people who appreciate challenging cinema found this one tough to love. NPR called it a 'lazy and self-admiring riff,' which is pretty damning for a director coming off the Oscar-winning Poor Things.

If you're an arthouse completist who relishes discomfort and philosophical provocation, maybe you'll find something here. For everyone else—including any parent wondering if their teen could handle it—the answer is a hard no. Common Sense Media sets the bar at 17+, but honestly, even that feels generous. This is adults-only, and even then, only adults who know exactly what they're signing up for.

Age Fit

This is exclusively for adults 18+ who specifically seek out challenging, provocative arthouse cinema. The severe sexual content, disturbing violence, and psychologically dark themes make it completely inappropriate for anyone under 18. Even among adults, the divisive reception suggests this is for Lanthimos devotees only.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

8

This is a dark, disturbing anthology exploring domination, control, and psychological manipulation. IMDb rates it 'severe' for both sexual content and violence. The stories center on unhealthy power dynamics, emotional abuse, and disturbing behavior. Nothing about this is emotionally healthy or models positive values—it's intentionally provocative and unsettling.

Imaginative

72

Yorgos Lanthimos brings his signature surreal, absurdist style to three interconnected stories. The premise is original—exploring free will and control through bizarre, darkly comic scenarios. It's visually distinctive and conceptually ambitious, even if critics found it self-indulgent. The anthology structure and philosophical themes show creative ambition, though NPR called it 'lazy and self-admiring.'

Safe

5

Rated R with IMDb marking both sex/nudity and violence as 'severe.' Common Sense Media sets the age at 17+. Contains strong/disturbing violent content, strong sexual content, full nudity, and explicit language. This is absolutely not safe for children or teens—it's designed to shock and disturb. Plugged In notes it's from a 'provocative and controversial director,' signaling intentionally boundary-pushing content.

Enriching

45

For mature viewers interested in arthouse cinema and philosophical questions about autonomy and control, there's intellectual engagement here. The film tackles themes of free will, power dynamics, and human behavior. However, the 51% audience score and mixed critical reception (71% critics, 6.4 IMDb) suggest it's more alienating than enlightening for most viewers. NPR's review calling it a 'misfire' indicates the execution doesn't match the ambition.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

If you loved Poor Things and The Favourite, you'll recognize Lanthimos's signature surreal, darkly comic style
Three interconnected stories exploring philosophical questions about autonomy, power, and human behavior
Visually distinctive and conceptually ambitious—this is cinema as provocation, not entertainment
Strong ensemble cast committed to deeply weird, uncomfortable material

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What to Watch For

Severe sexual content including full nudity—IMDb rates this as extreme
Disturbing, graphic violence that's meant to unsettle
Psychologically dark themes: manipulation, control, emotional abuse throughout
The 51% audience score tells you what you need to know—this alienates more people than it connects with
Self-indulgent pacing and structure that NPR called 'lazy'—even arthouse fans may check out

Conversation Starters

"This isn't for family discussion—it's an adults-only provocation piece"
"If you're an arthouse completist: What did the three stories say about free will vs. control?"
"Did the shocking content serve the themes, or was it shock for shock's sake?"

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