Yorgos Lanthimos, a Greek director known for his unique and unsettling style, has carved a niche in modern cinema with his peculiar storytelling and bizarre narratives. Ranking his films by their strangeness involves considering their plot intricacies, character behaviors, and overall atmosphere. Lanthimos’s ability to blend the mundane with the surreal creates films that leave audiences both bewildered and intrigued. His movies often depart from conventional storytelling, immersing viewers in worlds that challenge their perception of reality.
The disturbing nature of Lanthimos’s films is often manifested through his distinct directorial choices, such as unconventional dialogue, surreal scenarios, and dark humor. These elements combine to produce a sense of disorientation and discomfort, compelling audiences to question the underlying themes and messages. Not every Lanthimos movie is as disturbing, but those that are rank among the most discomforting in recent memory, highlighting the unique qualities that define each entry and contribute to their overall weirdness.
9’My Best Friend’ (2001)
Starring Lakis Lazopoulous, Antonis Kafetzopoulous, and Vera Krouska.
My Best Friend, co-directed by Lanthimos and Lakis Lazopoulos, is less strange than his later works. The film revolves around a man whose life is turned upside down when his best friend moves in with him, leading to a series of humorous and chaotic events. The film’s conventional narrative is infused with quirky character dynamics and absurd situations, leaning heavily on the odd couple trope. While not as bizarre as Lanthimos’s solo projects,My Best Friend hints at the director’s developing interest in exploring the complexities of human relationships through an offbeat lens.
The film’s humor and lighthearted tone make it an enjoyable, if less strange, entry in his filmography. The interactions between the characters, combined with the comedic timing, showcase early signs of Lanthimos’s potential to blend humor with discomfort. Additionally, My Best Friend provides a glimpse into the early collaborative efforts of Lanthimos, showing his capacity to work alongside other creatives while beginning to carve his unique voice. Though My Best Friend may not fully represent the surreal heights of his later films, it offers valuable insights into the foundations of his directorial approach.
My Best Friend is currently not available to rent or stream in the U.S. and Canada.
8’Kinetta’ (2005)
Starring Evangelina Randou, Aris Servetalis, and Costas Xikominos
Kinetta, Lanthimos’s solo debut feature, follows three individuals who reenact famous crime scenes for unknown purposes. The lack of plot, minimal dialogue, and fragmented narrative structure contribute to its strangeness, inviting viewers to piece together the story through visual cues and subtle interactions. Kinetta is a precursor to Lanthimos’s later works, establishing his interest in exploring unconventional storytelling and the bizarre aspects of human behavior.
Its experimental nature and unsettling atmosphere make it a fascinating entry in Lanthimos’ filmography, and the unconventional approach to storytelling challenges viewers. Kinetta highlights Lanthimos’s early interest in themes of identity and role-playing. The characters’ obsessive reenactments of crimes blur the lines between reality and performance, questioning the very nature of human behavior. The stark, almost clinical visual style complements the thematic focus, creating an environment that is simultaneously real and surreal.
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7’The Favourite’ (2018)
Starring Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz
Image via Searchlight Pictures
While The Favourite is arguably Lanthimos’s most accessible mainstream film, it still retains his signature strangeness. It reimagines the historical drama genre with a darkly comedic and absurdist twist, focusing on the power struggle between two cousins vying for the favor of Queen Anne. The exaggerated characterizations and sharp dialogue create a world that is bizarre and captivating. Olivia Colman’s portrayal of Queen Anne, combined with the power dynamics between the characters, infuses the film with a unique blend of humor and melancholy.
The visual style, featuring fish-eye lenses and unconventional camera angles, adds to its offbeat charm. The lush costumes and opulent settings contrast with the darkly humorous and often brutal interactions among the characters, highlighting the absurdity of their power struggles. Additionally, The Favourite delves into themes of ambition, manipulation, and the complexities of human relationships. Its witty, acidic dialogue conceals the characters’ true motivations, providing a satirical commentary on power and desire. Lanthimos’s direction reminds viewers of the underlying tensions and darker elements at play, balancing historical authenticity with modern sensibilities and making it a standout in Lanthimos’s oeuvre.
Starring Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons and William Dafoe
Image via Searchlight Pictures
Poor Things is a quintessential Lanthimos film, blending his unique narrative style with elements of gothic and speculative fiction. The film is a loose adaptation of Alasdair Gray’s novel of the same name and follows the story of Bella Baxter, a young woman who is brought back to life by an eccentric scientist. Bella’s journey of self-discovery, which includes navigating complex relationships and societal norms, is imbued with the strangeness typical of Lanthimos’s work. The film’s visual aesthetic is richly detailed, with lavish set designs that juxtapose the grotesque with the beautiful, reflecting the duality of Bella’s existence.
At its core, Poor Things is a story about identity and autonomy as Bella grapples with her past and her newfound agency. The film delves into themes of resurrection and transformation, both literal and metaphorical, exploring the boundaries of what it means to be truly alive. The zanier elements, like the reanimation process and Bella’s initial 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥like innocence juxtaposed with her adult body, add layers to the narrative. The performances, particularly Emma Stone’s Oscar-winning tour de force as Bella, add a touch of depth and chaos to the film’s eccentric characters. Poor Things is a tale of self-discovery that sacrifices most of Lanthimos’ more riské sensibilities in favor of a more straightforward tale of empowerment and enlightenment.
Starring Angeliki Papoulia, Aris Servetalis, and Ariane Labed
Image via Haos Film
Alps presents a strange and melancholic narrative centered around a group of individuals who offer a unique service: impersonating the recently deceased to help clients cope with grief. This bizarre premise sets the stage for a meditation on identity, loss, and the human need for connection. The film’s understated yet surreal approach makes it one of Lanthimos’s more subtle but still deeply strange works. The characters’ emotional detachment and the film’s minimalist aesthetic contribute to its eerie atmosphere, exploring the thin line between reality and illusion and questioning the authenticity of human relationships.
The quiet strangeness and haunting themes of Alps make it a compelling addition to Lanthimos’s body of work. The emotionally reserved performances enhance the film’s unsettling tone, emphasizing the disconnection and alienation experienced by the characters. The members of Alps meticulously recreate the behaviors and mannerisms of the deceased, blurring their identities in the process. This exploration of the boundaries between self and other, reality and fiction, creates a thought-provoking and disconcerting viewing experience.
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4’The Killing of a Sacred Deer’ (2017)
Starring Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, and Barry Keoghan
Image via A24
The Killing of a Sacred Deer merges psychological horror with mythological elements, resulting in a chilling and strange narrative. The film follows a successful surgeon who forms a sinister bond with a teenager, leading to a series of inexplicable and tragic events. The story draws inspiration from Greek mythology — the title references the Greek myth of Iphigenia, signaling the film’s exploration of themes of guilt, retribution, and sacrifice. Its unsettling atmosphere is heightened by meticulous direction and a haunting score. Lanthimos’s use of wide-angle shots and stark lighting creates a sense of unease, while the characters’ stilted dialogue and mechanical behavior contribute to the bizarre tone.
Tense and often disconcerting, The Killing of a Sacred Deer is a masterful exploration of guilt, retribution, and the nature of fate. The film’s exploration of moral dilemmas and the consequences of past actions is unsettling yet compelling. Lanthimos’s direction ensures that each scene is imbued with a sense of impending doom, heightening the tension and reinforcing the film’s mythological undertones. The Killing of a Sacred Deer challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable questions about morality, justice, and the human condition.
Starring Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, and Olivia Colman
Image via Picturehouse Entertainment
The Lobster is a darkly comedic take on love and relationships set in a dystopian society where single people are turned into animals if they fail to find a partner within 45 days. This absurd premise sets the stage for a narrative that explores themes of conformity, societal pressure, and the search for identity. The movie’s strange and satirical approach to romance highlights Lanthimos’s unique ability to blend humor with existential dread.
The surreal world of The Lobster is further accentuated by its deadpan dialogue and peculiar character interactions. The offbeat tone and unsettling scenarios provide a bizarre yet poignant commentary on human connections, and the deliberate pacing and stark cinematography enhance the strange ambiance. The Lobster also delves into the absurdity of rigid social structures and the lengths to which people will go to conform. The film’s second half, set in the forest, further explores themes of rebellion and the struggle for authenticity in a world that demands conformity.
The Lobster (2015)
RDramaRomanceSci-FiRelease DateOctober 15, 2015CastColin Farrell , Olivia Colman , Rachel Weisz , Jessica BardenRuntime119 minutesWritersEfthymis Filippou , Yorgos Lanthimos
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2’Kinds of Kindness’ (2024)
Starring Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons and William Dafoe
Image via Searchlight Pictures
Kinds of Kindnessmarks a return to Yorgos Lanthimos’s exploration of human behavior with an even more surreal and enigmatic twist. Starring Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone, the film weaves together multiple narratives that dissect the concept of kindness. Set in a dystopian near-future, each segment features characters who interpret and enact kindness in unexpected and often disturbing manners. Lanthimos uses these interwoven tales to challenge conventional ideas of morality and benevolence. The structure is nonlinear, with each segment gradually revealing connections between the characters and their actions.
The film’s exploration of kindness in its many forms—genuine, performative, coercive—reveals the contradictions inherent in human interactions. Plemons and Stone deliver standout performances, embodying characters whose actions challenge and redefine the viewer’s understanding of kindness. The interplay between the film’s visual style, narrative structure, and thematic content makes Kinds of Kindness a uniquely immersive experience. As with his previous works, Kinds of Kindness sees Lanthimos pushing the boundaries of conventional cinema, offering a film that is as intellectually stimulating as it is unsettling.
Kinds of Kindness (2024)
RComedyDramaRelease DateJune 21, 2024CastEmma Stone , Jesse Plemons , Willem Dafoe , Margaret Qualley , Hong Chau , Joe Alwyn , Mamoudou Athie , Hunter SchaferRuntime164 MinutesWritersYorgos Lanthimos , Efthimis Filippou
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1’Dogtooth’ (2009)
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos
Dogtooth stands as Lanthimos’s most disturbing film due to its deeply disturbing premise and execution. The story revolves around a couple who keep their three adult 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren confined within their property, fabricating a false reality to control them. The film delves into themes of control, manipulation, and the perversion of innocence, presenting a world where normality is warped beyond recognition. The bizarre behaviors and invented language within the family highlight the extreme psychological conditioning they undergo, making for an unsettling viewing experience.
The film’s visual style complements its narrative strangeness with sterile and claustrophobic settings that enhance the sense of entrapment. Dogtooth challenges viewers to confront the limits of parental control and the impact of isolation, making it Lanthimos’s most bizarre and thought-provoking work. Dogtooth’s stark cinematography and meticulous framing heighten the sense of claustrophobia and confinement, reinforcing the themes of control and manipulation. Dogtooth stands as a powerful and unsettling exploration of the boundaries of parental authority and the human spirit’s resilience in the face of extreme oppression.
