Emma Stone’s latest film has sparked considerable discussion because of a particularly explicit scene that many viewers found shocking and unexpected, especially for a Disney platform.
The anthology film, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, was recently added to Disney+, prompting questions about its appropriateness for the platform. While Disney+ is traditionally known for family-friendly content, it has been expanding into more mature programming through its ‘Star’ hub.
This particular movie, however, appears to have pushed the boundaries of what audiences expected from the platform.
Kinds of Kindness follows the journey of Eloise, portrayed by Emma Stone, as she interacts with different people across three interconnected storylines. The film’s second chapter sparks controversy when Eloise, a marine biologist who was recently rescued after being stranded at sea, returns to her husband, played by Jesse Plemons.
The narrative takes a shocking turn when Eloise and her husband become involved in an explicit group encounter with another couple.
The scene, which includes full-frontal nudity and intense sexual content, has left some viewers feeling unprepared and raising concerns about whether Disney+ provided sufficient warnings for such material.
This moment has sparked renewed discussions about Disney+’s evolving content strategy and its shifting brand identity.
One viewer expressed their thoughts online, stating, “Kinds of Kindness being available on Disney Plus feels weird and unnatural, like seeing a crocodile at the dog park.”
Another shared a similar sentiment, asking, “Why the f** is this associated with Disney Plus?”
Others described the scene as “too dark and really weird” and simply “too much.”
Emma Stone has responded to the discourse surrounding her collaboration with Lanthimos, expressing unwavering confidence in his vision.
During the film’s premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, she remarked, “I trust him beyond the trust I have had with any director.”
Stone’s role in Kinds of Kindness follows her performance in Poor Things, another Lanthimos project that garnered attention for its bold, R-rated themes.
Despite the backlash, some viewers and critics have praised the film for its bold storytelling and its exploration of complex human connections.
Alongside Stone and Plemons, the cast features notable names such as Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, and Hong Chau.
