Wolverine (2020) #20-25

 

Wolverine (2020) #20-25

Issue #20: Deadpool’s Disruption
The story kicks off with Wolverine on a mission to investigate a black market trafficking in Krakoan technology. However, his operation is derailed when Deadpool arrives uninvited, claiming to have vital intel on the smugglers. Despite Wolverine's reluctance, Deadpool tags along, bringing chaos and comedic mayhem. The investigation leads to Madripoor, where the duo uncovers a shadowy organization selling Krakoan technology to the highest bidder. Their discovery sets the stage for a larger confrontation, as Wolverine struggles to rein in Deadpool’s unpredictable antics.

Issue #21: The Auction Block
Wolverine and Deadpool infiltrate a high-stakes auction in Madripoor, where various criminal factions bid on stolen Krakoan technology. As the auction escalates, the two heroes clash over their differing approaches: Wolverine prefers stealth and precision, while Deadpool’s reckless humor and explosive tactics draw unwanted attention. The auction culminates in a violent showdown when a mysterious new villain, The Merchant, reveals their plans to use the stolen technology for a global black market empire. The issue ends with Wolverine and Deadpool barely escaping, but not without drawing the ire of Madripoor’s criminal elite.

Issue #22: An Unlikely Partnership
With tensions running high, Wolverine reluctantly agrees to continue working with Deadpool after realizing the Merc with a Mouth’s unconventional methods have uncovered leads he would have missed. The pair follows a trail that takes them to a hidden Madripoor lab, where they confront The Merchant’s hired muscle—enhanced mercenaries equipped with weaponized Krakoan tech. During the battle, Wolverine begins to suspect there’s more to The Merchant’s operation than just profit, hinting at a deeper conspiracy targeting Krakoa itself.

Issue #23: The Merchant’s Gambit
The Merchant escalates their campaign by launching a public attack on a Krakoan outpost, framing Wolverine and Deadpool for the destruction. This forces the two to go underground, dodging both Krakoan and Madripoor authorities while trying to clear their names. As Wolverine digs deeper into The Merchant’s operation, he discovers a disturbing connection to an anti-mutant extremist group funding the black market. Deadpool, despite his comedic persona, reveals unexpected depth by using his mercenary contacts to gather intel, proving himself a surprisingly valuable ally.

Issue #24: The Cost of Loyalty
Wolverine and Deadpool track The Merchant to a fortified facility where the stolen technology is being mass-produced. The infiltration mission tests their uneasy partnership, as Wolverine’s no-nonsense approach clashes with Deadpool’s chaotic but effective methods. The battle against The Merchant’s forces pushes Wolverine to his limits, and he begins to question whether Krakoa’s open borders and shared technology policies have made them too vulnerable to exploitation. The issue ends with a climactic encounter between Wolverine and The Merchant, where the villain reveals a personal vendetta against Krakoa tied to its political rise.

Issue #25: A Bloody Resolution
The arc concludes with an explosive showdown at The Merchant’s facility. Wolverine and Deadpool, finally working in sync, dismantle the operation and recover the stolen technology. However, The Merchant escapes, vowing revenge and leaving behind cryptic hints about larger threats to Krakoa. The aftermath sees Wolverine reflecting on his uneasy alliance with Deadpool and the moral compromises required to protect Krakoa. Deadpool, in a rare moment of sincerity, acknowledges his respect for Wolverine, hinting that their partnership might not be as temporary as Wolverine would like.

Thematic Exploration
This arc blends high-octane action with humor and moral complexity, exploring the consequences of Krakoa’s policies in a world where mutant technology is both a blessing and a target. Wolverine’s gruff seriousness contrasts sharply with Deadpool’s irreverence, creating a dynamic partnership that highlights their differences while proving their effectiveness together. Themes of trust, loyalty, and the price of progress are woven throughout, making this a story that is as introspective as it is entertaining. Wolverine (2020) continues to showcase the character’s depth and adaptability in a rapidly changing world.

Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty (2022) #1-6

Issue #1: The Shield’s True Purpose

Steve Rogers returns to the streets of Brooklyn, seeking a quieter life after the chaos of recent events. However, his attempt to reconnect with his roots is interrupted when he discovers a mysterious conspiracy tied to his iconic shield. Steve learns that the star at the center of his shield has been a symbol of control used by a secret organization called the Outer Circle. This revelation shakes his understanding of his role as Captain America and sets him on a mission to uncover the truth behind the Outer Circle’s shadowy influence on the world.

Issue #2: A New Mission
Steve begins his investigation by reaching out to allies like Bucky Barnes (The Winter Soldier) and Sharon Carter, who help him trace the origins of the Outer Circle. The search takes him to unexpected places, including hidden archives and dangerous confrontations with agents of the mysterious group. Along the way, Steve encounters a new enemy, The Revolution, a deadly operative who challenges Steve’s ideals and forces him to question his place in a world increasingly shaped by manipulation and deceit.

Issue #3: The Outer Circle Revealed
Steve learns more about the structure of the Outer Circle, a cabal of five powerful figures—The Revolution, The Machine, The Power, The Love, and The Money—who have been pulling the strings behind global events for decades. As Steve uncovers their influence on wars, politics, and economies, he realizes the depth of their control and their connection to the creation of the shield itself. This revelation strengthens his resolve to dismantle the Outer Circle but also exposes him to greater danger as the group begins to view him as a direct threat.

Issue #4: Allies and Adversaries
Steve’s quest for answers leads him to team up with unlikely allies, including a group of ordinary citizens determined to resist the Outer Circle’s control. Meanwhile, his growing conflict with The Revolution intensifies, culminating in a brutal fight that leaves Steve questioning whether he can win this battle without compromising his principles. Bucky, acting on his own leads, uncovers a shocking betrayal within their ranks, hinting at a deeper layer to the conspiracy.

Issue #5: The Machine’s Gambit
As Steve and his allies close in on the Outer Circle, The Machine, a mastermind of strategy and manipulation, begins to turn the tide against them. Using advanced technology and psychological warfare, The Machine creates chaos that threatens to undermine Steve’s credibility and the trust he’s built with his allies. The issue’s climax sees Steve face a personal crisis as he’s forced to choose between pursuing the Outer Circle or saving innocent lives caught in their web.

Issue #6: A Fractured Trust
The arc reaches its climax as Steve confronts the Outer Circle in a daring raid on one of their strongholds. However, the encounter reveals the group’s ultimate plan: to use Captain America’s legacy as a tool for their agenda. Bucky’s role in the conspiracy comes to light, exposing a rift between the two friends that could change their relationship forever. The issue ends on a cliffhanger, with Steve vowing to dismantle the Outer Circle piece by piece, even as the cost to his personal relationships and ideals continues to mount.

Thematic Exploration
This arc examines the intersection of legacy, freedom, and control, challenging Steve’s understanding of the ideals he has long stood for. The revelation of the Outer Circle’s influence forces him to confront the ways symbols can be co-opted for nefarious purposes, adding a layer of complexity to his role as Captain America. Themes of trust, loyalty, and resistance against systemic oppression are woven throughout, creating a story that feels both timely and deeply personal. With its mix of action, intrigue, and emotional stakes, Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty reinvigorates the Sentinel of Liberty’s mission for a new generation.

I liked where they're going here. 7/10.

Miles Morales: Spider-Man (2018) #37-42

 

Miles Morales: Spider-Man (2018) #37-42

Issue #37: The Multiversal Chaos Begins
The story kicks off with Miles Morales continuing to grapple with his dual responsibilities as a student and Spider-Man. However, his world is turned upside down when he encounters an alternate version of himself, known as Shift—a hulking, monstrous clone who has escaped from a secret laboratory. Shift warns Miles of a looming multiversal threat tied to the Beyond Corporation. The two are forced to team up when agents from Beyond attack, forcing Miles to confront his growing unease about the multiverse’s fragility and the consequences of his previous dimension-hopping adventures.

Issue #38: Enter the Spider-Verse (Again)
After receiving a cryptic warning from Shift, Miles seeks help from Ganke and Starling to investigate the Beyond Corporation’s growing interest in alternate realities. Their search leads them to a hidden portal, which transports Miles and Shift into a fractured dimension. There, Miles encounters alternate versions of himself, including a war-hardened, older Spider-Man and a teenage, unpowered Miles trying to survive a dystopian reality. Each version of Miles reveals the devastating effects of tampering with the multiverse, fueling his determination to stop Beyond’s interference.

Issue #39: The Clone’s Redemption
Shift’s backstory takes center stage as Miles learns more about his clone’s tragic origins and the experiments that created him. Despite his monstrous appearance, Shift proves to be an invaluable ally, displaying loyalty and courage that challenge Miles’s initial misgivings about him. Meanwhile, Beyond’s operatives, led by the ruthless Quantum, continue their pursuit of Miles and Shift, escalating the danger. The issue’s emotional core centers on Miles’s evolving relationship with Shift, as they bond over shared trauma and their desire to forge their own destinies.

Issue #40: The Beyond Conspiracy
Miles uncovers evidence of Beyond’s plan to harness the multiverse for profit and control, putting countless realities at risk. To stop them, Miles and Shift infiltrate a Beyond facility, only to encounter a formidable foe: Selim, another Miles clone who has fully embraced his role as an enforcer for Beyond. The clash between Miles and Selim is both physical and ideological, as Selim accuses Miles of failing to live up to his potential. The confrontation ends with Miles barely escaping, but the experience leaves him questioning his purpose and place in the multiverse.

Issue #41: Into the Heart of the Multiverse
Determined to stop Beyond once and for all, Miles and Shift rally their alternate-dimension allies for a final assault on the corporation’s main facility. The mission pushes Miles to his limits as he faces Selim again, this time in a high-stakes battle that threatens to collapse the multiverse itself. Shift’s heroism shines as he sacrifices himself to protect Miles and the integrity of the multiverse. The emotional loss cements Shift as a true hero in Miles’s eyes, and the victory against Beyond feels bittersweet.

Issue #42: Aftermath and Reflection
The arc concludes with Miles returning to his home dimension, forever changed by his experiences. He grapples with the loss of Shift and the heavy burden of protecting not just his city but the multiverse itself. Starling and Ganke help him process his grief, reminding him of the importance of his humanity and connections to others. Meanwhile, Beyond’s remnants hint at future threats, leaving Miles on edge about what’s to come. The issue ends with a quiet but hopeful moment as Miles rededicates himself to being Spider-Man, inspired by Shift’s memory to keep fighting for what’s right.

Thematic Exploration
This arc explores themes of identity, responsibility, and the consequences of power. Miles’s interactions with his clones and alternate selves highlight the complexity of his role as Spider-Man, challenging him to embrace his individuality while recognizing the broader impact of his actions. The arc also emphasizes the importance of found family and the sacrifices required to protect those you love. With its blend of action, emotional depth, and multiversal intrigue, Miles Morales: Spider-Man continues to showcase the unique strengths of its titular hero.

X-Force (2019) #27-33

 

X-Force (2019) #27-33

Issue #27: The Beast’s Ambitions
The story opens with the mutant nation of Krakoa in turmoil as Beast continues his secretive operations within X-Force, pushing the team's mandate into morally ambiguous territory. Wolverine and Domino express growing concerns about Beast's leadership, suspecting that his increasingly authoritarian methods could jeopardize the safety of Krakoa. Meanwhile, Black Tom Cassidy struggles with his connection to the island's organic systems, sensing an ominous disruption. When an unauthorized breach occurs, X-Force uncovers evidence of a mysterious biotech threat targeting Krakoa’s core infrastructure.

Issue #28: The Bioweapon Unleashed
X-Force investigates the source of the breach, discovering a rogue faction experimenting with mutant DNA to create hybrid bioweapons. Led by the enigmatic Chronicler, the faction has developed tools capable of undermining Krakoa’s defenses. The team splits up to contain the threat, with Sage and Forge working on countermeasures while Wolverine, Domino, and Quentin Quire confront the enemy in the field. During the mission, Quentin’s psychic abilities begin to falter, hinting at deeper interference with Krakoa’s telepathic network.

Issue #29: Quentin’s Fall
Quentin Quire’s powers spiral out of control as the Chronicler’s influence spreads, exploiting his insecurities and fears. The issue focuses on Quentin’s psychological struggle as he begins to doubt his place on the team and in the mutant community. Meanwhile, Beast orchestrates a risky operation to isolate the Chronicler, further alienating his teammates with his cold, calculated decisions. Wolverine and Domino grow increasingly suspicious of Beast’s motives, suspecting he may be withholding critical information about the Chronicler’s true goals.

Issue #30: Secrets and Betrayals
X-Force uncovers the Chronicler’s ultimate plan: to destabilize Krakoa from within by manipulating its most vulnerable members. As tensions rise, the team discovers that Beast has been keeping secrets about the Chronicler's origins, including ties to Krakoa’s own resurrection protocols. Sage confronts Beast, accusing him of endangering the mutant nation by prioritizing his personal agenda over transparency. The issue ends with a dramatic revelation as Beast’s hidden experiments come to light, leaving the team fractured and uncertain of their leadership.

Issue #31: The Island Strikes Back
The Chronicler’s bioweapons launch a coordinated attack on Krakoa, infecting its organic systems and threatening the island’s survival. Black Tom Cassidy takes center stage, using his connection to the island to repel the attack and rally the mutants to defend their home. X-Force works together despite their differences, with Quentin rediscovering his confidence in a pivotal moment that turns the tide of battle. However, the victory is bittersweet as the team realizes the Chronicler’s attack was only a test for something far more dangerous.

Issue #32: Beast’s Reckoning
The fallout from Beast’s actions comes to a head as the team confronts him about his unchecked authority and unethical decisions. Wolverine demands accountability, while Sage argues for reform within X-Force. Beast, however, remains unrepentant, insisting his actions were necessary to protect Krakoa. This internal conflict mirrors the external threat, as the Chronicler prepares to launch a final assault on the island. The issue ends with Beast’s fate hanging in the balance as Krakoa’s leaders debate whether to dismantle X-Force entirely.

Issue #33: A New Path Forward
The Chronicler’s ultimate attack forces the mutants of Krakoa to unite, with X-Force leading the charge in a desperate bid to save their home. The team’s unity and determination prove decisive, as they thwart the Chronicler’s plans and neutralize the bioweapon threat. In the aftermath, X-Force reflects on the damage done by Beast’s leadership and vows to rebuild the team with a renewed focus on accountability and trust. The issue closes on a hopeful yet uncertain note, with Krakoa stronger but wary of the fragile balance between its ideals and the darker realities of survival.

Thematic Exploration
These issues delve deeply into the moral complexities of leadership, loyalty, and the ethical dilemmas faced by Krakoa’s secret defenders. Beast’s descent into Machiavellian tactics forces the team—and the reader—to question the cost of security in an unstable world. At the same time, the Chronicler’s manipulations highlight the vulnerabilities inherent in Krakoa’s utopian vision. Through its blend of action, intrigue, and psychological depth, X-Force (2019) continues to challenge what it means to be a hero in a world of shifting alliances and uncertain futures.

Venom (2021) #6-10

Venom (2021) #6-10

Issue #6: A New Era Begins

The story picks up with Dylan Brock adjusting to his new role as Venom after the apparent death of his father, Eddie Brock, who has ascended to become the King in Black. Dylan struggles with the symbiote's immense power and the weight of his father's legacy. Meanwhile, Eddie, lost in the timestream of the hive mind, begins uncovering a sinister plot orchestrated by a shadowy figure named Meridius. Eddie learns that Meridius has been manipulating the symbiote timeline for centuries, setting up a confrontation that threatens all of existence. Back on Earth, Dylan's powers attract unwanted attention, leading to encounters with both allies and adversaries.

Issue #7: The Seeds of a War
Dylan, now fully bonded with Venom, faces off against a mysterious villain named Bedlam, a hulking symbiote with unrelenting ferocity. The battle forces Dylan to embrace more of Venom's brutal instincts, a decision that haunts him as he fears losing his humanity. Meanwhile, Eddie continues to explore the hive mind's timestream and discovers a strange nexus of future symbiote events connected to Meridius's plans. He realizes that Meridius intends to dominate all symbiotes across time by controlling their evolution. Eddie begins to piece together the puzzle of his role in the larger battle to come.

Issue #8: The Hive’s Prisoner
Eddie's journey through the symbiote hive mind takes a darker turn as he is captured by Meridius. While imprisoned, Eddie encounters other symbiote warriors who have fallen to Meridius's machinations, each revealing fragments of their shared fate. Back on Earth, Dylan grows closer to Sleeper, another symbiote ally, who becomes a mentor of sorts in teaching him how to control Venom. The issue builds tension as Dylan's bond with Venom strengthens, paralleling Eddie's struggle to resist Meridius's attempts to manipulate him.

Issue #9: The Fall of Time
Eddie manages a daring escape from Meridius's clutches, gaining critical insight into the villain's true nature and goals. Meridius is revealed to be a future version of Eddie, corrupted by the immense power of the King in Black and determined to reshape time to ensure his dominance. This revelation shakes Eddie to his core as he realizes the path he might take if he succumbs to despair and ambition. Meanwhile, Dylan faces a moral dilemma when he must decide whether to trust Alchemax, a shady organization offering him guidance, or strike out on his own as Venom. The clash of ideologies sets the stage for an inevitable collision between father and son.

Issue #10: The Battle Within
In a climactic showdown, Eddie confronts Meridius within the hive mind, where their battle transcends time and space. Eddie fights not only to save himself but to ensure Dylan's future and protect the symbiote lineage from Meridius's corruption. On Earth, Dylan faces Bedlam again, this time fully embracing his role as Venom. With Sleeper's help, Dylan uncovers more about the connection between Meridius, Bedlam, and the broader symbiote war. The issue ends with Eddie narrowly escaping back to the present, carrying critical knowledge that could save Dylan and prevent Meridius's rise, but the cost is his growing isolation from humanity.

Thematic Exploration
These issues delve into the complex relationships between fathers and sons, legacy, and the burden of immense power. Dylan's struggle to reconcile his humanity with Venom's primal nature mirrors Eddie's internal battle against his potential future as Meridius. The narrative raises questions about fate, free will, and the lengths one would go to protect their loved ones. With its mix of high-stakes action and emotional depth, Venom (2021) continues to redefine the mythos of the symbiote saga.

Amazing arc. Great writing. I give this one a 9/10.

Strange (2021) #1-5

Strange (2021) #1-5

 Marvel Comics' Strange (2021) by Jed MacKay begins with Clea Strange stepping into the role of Sorcerer Supreme following the death of her husband, Stephen Strange. The first issue sets the stage with Clea navigating her grief while asserting herself as a powerful and determined protector of Earth. She faces challenges from Wong, who questions her motivations, and hostile threats from magical enemies seeking to exploit Stephen’s absence. Clea’s resolve is clear: she intends not only to protect the world but also to find a way to resurrect her husband, no matter the cost.

In the second issue, Clea takes on the Blasphemy Cartel, a mysterious organization exploiting dark magic for nefarious purposes. The Cartel's soldiers wield undead-like powers, posing a significant threat. Clea demonstrates her otherworldly strength and her unique approach to magic, which diverges from Stephen’s methods, showcasing her lineage as the Faltine, a race of powerful magical beings. This issue also begins to unravel the secrets behind the Blasphemy Cartel and its connections to the larger Marvel Universe.

By the third issue, Clea’s investigations into Stephen’s death and the Cartel lead her to a shocking revelation: a corrupted version of the Harvestman, a grim reaper-like figure tied to Death, is stalking her every move. This confrontation escalates her quest to find Stephen's soul. Clea’s determination to resurrect her husband puts her at odds with cosmic and mystical forces, raising questions about the balance between life and death and the potential consequences of her actions.

In the fourth issue, Clea’s battle with the Harvestman intensifies, as their encounters reveal deeper truths about the fabric of magic and the forces opposing her. The issue balances intense action with Clea’s introspective moments as she reflects on her identity—not just as Stephen’s widow, but as a powerful sorceress in her own right. Clea’s sharp wit, combined with her raw power, sets her apart as she faces mounting challenges from enemies both old and new.

The fifth issue climaxes with Clea uncovering critical information about the Blasphemy Cartel’s origins and their links to a larger magical conspiracy. She also faces a heart-wrenching moral dilemma when the Harvestman’s identity is revealed to be closely tied to Stephen Strange in a twisted and unexpected way. This revelation reframes Clea’s mission and sets up a powerful emotional conflict for the series moving forward, highlighting Jed MacKay’s intricate plotting and Clea’s growth as both a hero and a person.

I give this arc a 7/10.

My take: This movie was weird as hell. And not all that great. Just saying.

Kinds of Kindness (2024)

By Alissa Wilkinson

You could endlessly pick apart “Kinds of Kindness,” but I don’t recommend it. The closest to a précis you’ll get for the film comes at the start, when the strains of the Eurythmics’ banger “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” ring out over the opening titles. The lyrics repeat the discomfiting notion that:

Some of them want to use you.
Some of them want to get used by you.
Some of them want to abuse you.
Some of them want to be abused.
Well, who am I to disagree?

“Kinds of Kindness” is a return to a certain form of form, if you will, for the director Yorgos Lanthimos, fresh off his warmer, cuddlier films “The Favourite” and “Poor Things.” His earlier movies, “Dogtooth,” “Alps,” “The Killing of a Sacred Deer” and “The Lobster” — all four written with Efthimis Filippou, who was his collaborator on “Kinds” — are less accessible, more deranged, less logical, more disturbing. Which is of course why they’re so polarizing. And so beloved.

I expect “Kinds of Kindness” to take its place among that latter group, with its vibrantly, defiantly off-putting stance and sidesplittingly sick sense of humor. It’s a triptych that at first seems slight, then gains meaning the longer you hold its three seemingly disconnected short films in juxtaposition and peer through the overlaps. All three share a cast that includes some returning Lanthimos players, like Margaret Qualley, Joe Alwyn, Willem Dafoe and Emma Stone, who won her second Oscar earlier this year for “Poor Things.” There are newcomers, too: Hong Chau, Mamoudou Athie and especially Jesse Plemons, who won the best actor prize at Cannes for his performance.

Plemons is the main character for most of the film. In the first segment, he plays a man whose every move is dictated by his boss (Dafoe), until it isn’t. In the second, Plemons is a cop whose researcher wife (Stone) goes missing on a desert island; when she returns, he’s convinced she’s not actually his wife. And in the third, Plemons and Stone play members of a strange cult (led by Dafoe and Chau) who are desperately seeking a young woman who will become its spiritual leader.

It’s all presented with the eerie air of a very dark comedy, the sort where sudden savagery can come crashing through the wall at any second. Violence and cruelty are the drivers of “Kinds of Kindness,” often presented not as the opposite of that kindness but as kindness itself. This strange world calls for delicious off-kilter performances, and the cast — particularly Stone, who’s proven her mettle in this regard, and Plemons — deliver. If you think you know what’s happening in a scene, just wait.

I mentioned the temptation to endlessly pick it apart. “Kinds of Kindness” unabashedly invites that treatment. Each of the three stories, for instance, has its own title in which a character named “R.M.F.” is mentioned; he shows up at the start of the first, “The Death of R.M.F.” (which, just to mess with us, also mostly features characters whose first and last names begin with R and F). But is this the R.M.F.? Is it the same guy in all three films? And, if so, what does that mean for the actors playing very different characters in each segment?

If tiny tidbits like this are a key to unlock some mystery, I haven’t figured it out yet after two viewings. But this is not a puzzle box movie; it’s a Lanthimos joint. That means it displays certain stylistic tics, especially a deadpan, almost robotic dialogue delivery and strangely insular, often airless settings. The tie that binds his whole filmography together is a fascination with the brutal dynamics of power that govern human relationships: parent to child, husband to wife, ruler to subject, woman to man. Lanthimos’s characters tend to speak their minds bluntly, which strips away any social niceties. It’s as if he’s trying to peel the skin and muscle off the skeleton of human society, and if it’s kind of gross, well, that’s the point.

Threaded through the three segments of “Kinds of Kindness” is a fascination with one dynamic in particular — the desire to dominate, or to be dominated, or quite possibly both. It only takes a peek into a schoolyard or a political arena to see that a lot of people want to be told what to do, and other people want to be the tellers.

That means there are many ways to read “Kinds of Kindness,” pretty much all of which will be supported by the text. Domination shows up all over contemporary life, in part because the proliferation of choices present to most of us — about what we’ll wear, what we’ll do, what we’ll eat, who we’ll be — can throw us into chaos. This accounts, in part, for the abundance of cults we’re always watching documentaries about. It can feel counterintuitive, but the scariness of boundless freedom sometimes manifests in a desire to find someone who can tell us what to do.

So the reading that wouldn’t leave me — and this may say more about me than the movie — is that “Kinds of Kindness” skewers a particular strain of “wellness culture,” or maybe the seedy underbelly of the “life coach” industrial complex. I don’t want to say too much, but in the first film, Plemons’s character loses all sense of himself and reality when he is no longer handed instructions for his daily life, a routine that’s time-stamped and microplanned, right down to his menu and whether or not he’ll have sex that night. A similar spinout happens in the third film, when Stone’s character is deemed not clean enough, in her purity-obsessed cult, to be granted the privilege of being controlled anymore. There’s a sense that deviation from regulated expectations results in madness.

You may see something else in “Kinds of Kindness.” There are many ways to read a fable, especially one as unhinged as this. You might love it. You might hate it. You might find yourself obsessed with it, or you might dismiss it as a load of hogwash. Who am I to disagree?