How do the three stories connect?

The three stories in Kinds of Kindness are connected not by direct plot overlaps, but by recurring themes, shared characters in different guises, and symbolic motifs. Here's how they fit together:

What Unites the Chapters

1. Recurring Characters as Archetypes

   • A character called R.M.F. appears in all three stories, though with different functions—dead, missing, etc.—serving as an elusive anchor for the audience.
   • The same actors play different roles across chapters (e.g. Jesse Plemons, Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe). This repetition underlines the idea that the dynamics we see are universal, not tied to individual identities.

2. Themes of Power, Control, and Obedience

   • In Story 1 (“The Death of R.M.F.”), Robert’s life is controlled by his boss Raymond down to intimate actions.
   • In Story 2 (“R.M.F. Is Flying”), a man suspects his returned wife isn't the same, exploring control through identity and trust.
   • In Story 3 (“R.M.F. Eats a Sandwich”), Emily submits to cult leaders in hopes of access to supernatural power. All three examine how people surrender autonomy—voluntarily or forcibly—to an authority or belief.

3. Longing for Connection & Validation

   • Robert wants his boss Raymond’s approval.
   • Daniel (Story 2) seeks reassurance in his wife’s return, fearful she’s changed.
   • Emily (Story 3) craves recognition from cult leaders via a prophesied miracle. In each, love, faith, or desire becomes a lens for extreme acts.

4. The Idea of Free Will vs. Submission

   • The characters’ decisions are almost always constrained—by instructions, tradition, devotion.
   • When characters try to defy, chaos or suffering usually ensues, suggesting a bleak view of human agency.

5. Symbolic Role of R.M.F.

   • Though R.M.F.’s identity isn’t explained outright, he acts as a through-line, grounding the film’s surrealism.
   • He represents either the ideal external judge people try to please, or the standard against which they measure themselves.

How the Triptych Structure Amplifies Meaning

• Each story functions like a variation on the same moral question: What are we willing to do for someone or something we believe holds power over our life?
• By seeing similar patterns in different setups (boss, spouse, cult), the film suggests these power dynamics are pervasive.
• The shared cast makes clear those dynamics are not about unique individuals but about roles people take or endure.
• The stories escalate: from workplace/private control → interpersonal relationship wariness → cultic spiritual extremity. This builds intensity across the triptych.

If you like, I can map specific scene-by-scene parallels to show how motifs echo across all three—makes it easier to see the threads.