The conclusion of Kinds of Kindness is as strange as the rest of Yorgos Lanthimos’ film. It follows an anthology format, with the cast of Kinds of Kindness portraying various roles in each segment. The film received positive reviews, with the final segment.
“R.M.F. Eats a Sandwich,” showcasing Emma Stone’s character, Emily, as she embarks on a journey to find Ruth (played by Margaret Qualley). Ruth can bring people back from the dead, and Emily hopes to please Omi and Aka (Willem Dafoe and Hong Chau) and return to their sex cult.
Ruth’s resurrection comes with both hope and disaster (Photo: Kinds Of Kindness/Element Pictures)After being banished for being “contaminated,” Emily is determined to prove herself. She drugs Ruth, takes her to the morgue, and forces Ruth to resurrect R.M.F. from the dead. When R.M.F. comes back to life, Emily is overjoyed.
However, in her rush to return Ruth to Omi and Aka, she neglects to secure Ruth’s seatbelt, resulting in a crash. Ruth is thrown out of the car and dies.
The Mystery Behind R.M.F. Explained
R.M.F. appears as a mysterious figure in each segment of Kinds of Kindness, and is the only actor to play the same character throughout. In “The Death of R.M.F.,” he is someone who agrees to be killed by Robert, even after Raymond initially rejects the request.
Later, in “R.M.F. is Flying,” he briefly appears flying a helicopter before being brought back to life by Ruth. Finally, in “R.M.F. Eats a Sandwich,” R.M.F. enjoys his sandwich after being revived. While R.M.F. is central to the three segments, the meaning of his initials remains unknown.
His role remains undefined throughout the film, but his presence adds a sense of reality amidst the absurdity of the three stories. R.M.F. does not have direct relationships with the other characters, and there is speculation that he might be an immortal figure who remains unchanged as everything else shifts around him.
He could be a divine figure who watches over the bizarre actions of others, showing little reaction when brought back to life or nearly killed twice. It seems R.M.F. accepts the inevitable cycle of his existence, unlike the other characters, who are striving to please others.
While others in the film conform to the expectations of those in power, R.M.F. is a figure of detachment, unburdened by the needs or desires of others. He exists independently of the manipulative dynamics that govern the other characters.
Despite Different Stories, Similar Themes Resonate
While the three segments of Kinds of Kindness tell different stories, they share common thematic elements. Each character, in their way, seeks the approval of someone else.
Whether it’s Robert, who kills to stay in Raymond’s good books, or Liz, who fulfills her husband’s awful demands to keep his love, the characters in the film are dominated by, or dominating over, others. The desire to preserve their relationships with those in positions of power drives their actions.
Robert, Liz, and Emily each seek to maintain their connection to those who control them. The film explores control and distorted love, with characters willing to go to great lengths to retain a connection, even if it’s abusive or unhealthy.
The dynamics of power and submission are key themes throughout, as each character goes to extreme measures to secure the affection and approval of those who dominate their lives. These toxic relationships reflect the dangers of remaining in destructive cycles, showing the harm that can result from an unhealthy dependency.
The Mystery Deepens in the Second Segment
In the second segment, “R.M.F. is Flying,” Lanthimos takes the audience on a disorienting journey, leading viewers to question whether Liz has been replaced by a doppelgänger or if Daniel is simply imagining it. Daniel’s paranoia, possibly caused by medication, may have led him to believe that Liz is no longer the same person.
The segment includes Liz’s dog tags, which are in Daniel’s possession, though Liz also has them when she returns. She recounts a bizarre tale of being stranded on an island ruled by dogs, where she was fed chocolate, which explains why she suddenly enjoys chocolate despite disliking it before.
The segment leaves much to be questioned, particularly when a second Liz appears at the end, embracing Daniel while the first Liz lies dead with her liver removed. This introduces ambiguity and mystery. There’s a possibility that Liz has been replaced, especially since there are two sets of dog tags.
However, it’s also possible that Daniel’s guilt about his abusive actions has led him to believe in a doppelgänger, to ease his conscience. Lanthimos’ film refuses to provide clear answers, leaving the audience to draw their conclusions.
The Title of Kinds of Kindness Sheds Light on Its Deeper Meaning
The title Kinds of Kindness is ironic, as the film does not showcase kindness in the conventional sense. None of the characters demonstrates genuine kindness to one another. Perhaps it is a reflection of how they perceive the treatment they receive from those who dominate them.
The mystery of R.M.F. deepens with every bizarre twist (Photo: Kinds Of Kindness/Element Pictures)Lanthimos presents a film with a starkly nihilistic view of life, highlighting the way people behave in a world devoid of true kindness. Each character is pushed to commit terrible acts, driven by desperation rather than compassion.
Although the characters engage in very human behaviors, there is an underlying sense of cynicism throughout the film. The characters act in their self-interest, believing that they are receiving kindness, though it’s often a warped form of it.
The title creates an expectation that is completely subverted by the actions of the characters, raising questions about the true nature of kindness in a world where it seems absent.
The Ending of Kinds of Kindness and Its Absurdist Message
The film concludes with Ruth’s death, which is ironic given her abilities, and Emily’s panic as she is unable to fulfill her mission of taking Ruth to Omi and Aka. Meanwhile, R.M.F. continues to live and enjoy his sandwich.
The ending underscores the absurdity of life and presents it as a kind of cosmic joke. The characters’ actions never go according to plan, illustrating the unpredictability of life, where everything unfolds regardless of one’s intentions or control.
