Poor Things is looking like it’s going to be one of the stalwarts of the 2023 award season. Whether it’s Emma Stone or Willem Dafoe, nominations are flooding in the direction of this odd film, including Yorgos Lanthimos, its director whose next movie has already been filmed. Best known for The Lobster and The Favourite, his next film will see a return to many of the Greek director’s collaborators and many new faces in a star-filled line-up, including Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, Hong Chau, Joe Alwyn, Mamoudou Athie, and Hunter Schafer. 

Kind of Kindness, previously titled “AND,” is an anthology film, a format that allows for the exploration of multiple stories or themes within a single cinematic experience. Lanthimos co-wrote the screenplay with his frequent collaborator, Efthymis Filippou, so it’s likely to follow a similarly bizarre direction as his other films. 

Despite the film already being shot, details about the plot remain closely guarded. This secrecy is typical of Lanthimos’s projects, often characterised by their intriguing and sometimes enigmatic narratives. The anticipation around Kind of Kindness is heightened by the lack of concrete information about its story, leaving fans and critics alike to speculate on the themes and directions the film might explore.

One thing that can be expected from a Lanthimos film is a blend of genres and tones, often combining elements of dark comedy, drama, and sometimes horror to create a unique cinematic experience. His movies are known for their thought-provoking content and the ability to challenge viewers’ perceptions, making Kind of Kindness a potential addition to his impressive oeuvre. As of now, there is no specific release date, but it is expected to premiere at a major film festival in 2024. 

Release Date: Unknown

Will It Be Any Good?

It’s unlikely that this project will be as good as Poor Things or The Favourite, but Lanthimos is one of those directors whose every step is worth measuring. Anthologies generally are a bit hit or miss; there aren’t many where you can comfortably say each part is as good as another. So it’s unlikely that this will be a standout movie.

But Lanthimos has been on a hell of a run, so all bets are off. I’m somewhat reminded of Ryusuke Hamaguchi releasing Drive My Car and Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy in the same year. Was Wheel as good as Drive My Car? No. But it’s still a good film well worth a watch. 

Will It Be Worth Watching? Almost certainly.