Kinds of Kindness' R.M.F. Mystery
R.M.F. is a mysterious figure who appears in each segment of the film. R.M.F. is the only character who remains in the same role throughout all three segments. In "The Death of R.M.F.," R.M.F. consents to be killed by Robert. In "R.M.F. is Flying," R.M.F. is briefly seen flying a helicopter. In "R.M.F. Eats a Sandwich," R.M.F. is brought back to life by Ruth and subsequently eats a sandwich. R.M.F. is the only connection between the three stories, and what the initials stand for is unclear.
R.M.F.'s significance is never explained. However, R.M.F.'s presence grounds "Kinds Of Kindness" to reality despite the absurdity of its three stories. R.M.F. doesn't know any of the other characters directly, though it's possible R.M.F. is some kind of immortal being who stays constant while everything else changes around him. R.M.F. could be a god-like stand-in who simply watches everyone do strange things. After all, R.M.F. seems rather unfazed by the fact that he's brought back to life and nearly killed in a car crash twice.
What All 3 Kinds of Kindness Segments Have In Common
Though all three segments of "Kinds Of Kindness" are different, they also complement each other thematically. Each character, in one way or another, is attempting to gain someone's approval. Whether that means Robert killing someone to stay in the good graces of Raymond, or Liz trying to keep the love of her husband by fulfilling every outrageous and terrible request. The characters all do things to essentially maintain the status quo. They are dOminated or, depending on the story, are the ones doing the dominating.
Robert, Liz, and Emily all try to keep the connection they have to those who hold some kind of power over them. They likely believe they love Raymond, Daniel, and Omi and Aka, respectively. They go to great lengths to keep them happy and to regain their trust. To that end, "Kinds of Kindness" showcases how toxic these kinds of relationships are, and the danger of staying in that cycle.
Was Liz Actually Replaced by Someone Else on the Island of Dogs?
Yorgos Lanthimos really messes with audiences' minds in "R.M.F. is Flying" and has us question whether Liz was actually replaced by a doppelgänger or if Daniel was just imagining it. It could have been his meds causing paranoia and his need to control Liz made him believe it. In the segment, Daniel has Liz's dog tag, but Liz is also in possession of her dog tags when she returns. Liz also claims that the island she was stranded on was ruled by dogs, who gave them chocolate to eat, which explains why she eats chocolate despite disliking it before.
This "Kinds of Kindness" segment is a bit more murky than the other two. A second Liz appears at the end of it, embracing Daniel while the previous Liz lies dead with her liver removed. It's a moment that brings many questions to the surface, with no clear answers. Liz could have been replaced, especially since there are two sets of dog tags with no explanation for them. But it's more likely Daniel wants to believe she's a doppelgänger to assuage his own guilt about being abusive. Lanthimos' film is anything but straightforward, after all, and both could be true.
Kinds of Kindness' Title Is a Contrast to Its Nihilistic Perspective
"Kinds of Kindness" title is the exact opposite of its stories. The film isn't about kindness at all — not to others or to oneself. None of the characters show an ounce of kindness to one another, though perhaps it's how they perceive their treatment by those who are dominating them. For all its strangeness, Lanthimos' film has a very nihilistic perspective on the world and the way in which people move in it.
Each segment finds its characters being driven to do horrible things, and none of them stop to think much about their actions because it's desperation driving them. While all of these characters do very human things, there's a sense of cynicism that underscores the film's stories. "Kinds of Kindness" sees every character acting in their own best interests in exchange for kindness — or a warped version of it. But there are conditions to the kindness they receive; it isn't freely given. The film's title sets up an expectation the stories and characters utterly destroy with their actions. In that way, the film leaves room to wonder about what kindness really means in a world that is also devoid of it.
The Real Meaning of Kinds of Kindness' Ending
"Kinds of Kindness" ends with Ruth's death (the fact she's the one to die is ironic considering her gifts), and Emily freaking out because she can no longer take her to Omi and Aka. Meanwhile, R.M.F. lives on and eats his sandwich. The ending seems to be alluding to the strangeness of life and the idea that it can be comical — like it's one big joke. Every time a character does something, it doesn't go the way they expect it to; life happens regardless of the plans one makes, and it's out of one's control.
"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.
