All the Times We’ve Seen Yorgos Lanthimos Color Outside the Lines–And Loved it

With an artistic vision anchored at bringing powerful commentary on the human condition through his unconventional and thought-provoking films, Greek auteur Yorgos Lanthimos continues to intrigue people in the most absurd way—pushing the limitless boundaries of cinema’s future. Winning multiple awards and receiving numerous nominations here and there, the critically acclaimed filmmaker has left yet another mark on the film industry by doing what he does best, igniting conversations in a society filled with political in/correctness, challenging the status quo, and shifting the perspective of his viewers.

Lanthimos, a graduate of Stavrakos Film School, mastered his craft in Greece, where opportunities and global recognition rarely present themselves. Despite the unfavorable odds that came his way, he continued to prevail; even more so, his undeniable talent for making films has birthed exceptional, compelling, and mind-boggling movies. 

The 55-year-old filmmaker has been known for incorporating dark humor and other familiar themes such as relationship structure and existential questioning of society. Constantly providing a fresh standpoint that captivates the audience, his fascinating interpretations inevitably glued everyone’s eyes on their screens, leading him to win Best Motion Picture Comedy or Musical for his most recent work Poor Things at the 2024 Golden Globe Awards. Now, with the release of his most recent film, Kinds of Kindness, now streaming on Disney+, here’s a curated list of the most provocative films we’ve seen from him, through the years:

Poor Things (2023)

Lanthimos challenged the audience’s moral views by telling the tale of a woman who has been resurrected by a scientist following her suicide. Bella Baxter, the film’s main protagonist, portrayed with an unflinching raw charm and gravitas by Emma Stone, embarks on a journey to discover herself. The central character aims to seek enlightenment and form genuine relationships through an impulsive adventure. Stepping out of her comfort zone with an insatiably curious outlook on life and the world of possibilities waiting to unravel, she finds herself living in a problematic world instead—as one expects.

Amassing nominations and pocketing another Best Actress trophy for Stone, Lanthimos brilliantly captured this grating but poignant look at the beauty and harshness of what life and humanity is through his unique perspective. The craftsmanship of the movie intertwined with his trademark of imposed questions regarding human behavior; the story was impressively depicted with both humor and boldness. Tackling the messy truths of life, crossing the line of the awkwardness of making deep human connections, and finding one’s most authentic self before the social constructs of rights and wrongs come into play. 

The Favourite (2019)

A masterpiece was delivered when The Favourite was released in the theaters, allowing everyone to take their time and contemplate the complexities of relationships and deceit. Set in early 18th-century Great Britain, England was caught in the middle of a war with France. The sick and frail Queen Ann governs the country with one of her closest friends, Lady Sarah, who has been taking charge on her behalf to fulfill her duties to the land. But, the recent arrival of a maiden, Abigail, threatens to disrupt the dynamics of the two and the future of the whole country. 

With so much at play, the tendency to lean towards divulging politics is on the table. Yet, Lanthimos did not do just that and provoked many people by showing the instantaneous power shift between each character, providing a different insight to the viewers. 

Amassing countless trophies with deserving wins of ten British Independent Film Awards, seven BAFTA awards, and eight European Film Awards, Lanthimos solidified his name in the industry as a true master in his craft. Warranted with a solid performance from the remarkable actress Olivia Colman, who played Queen Ann and clinched the Best Actress award at the Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards in 2019.

The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)

If there is one thing that Lanthimos isn’t scared of, it is making his viewers uncomfortable by going against and challenging views on social norms, infusing the themes of revenge and the dynamics of power play. The Killing of a Sacred Deer, which won the Best Screenplay at the Cannes Film Festival, follows a renowned surgeon, Steven Murphy, living in a perfectly comfortable household. Inconspicuously, a young teenage boy gradually indulges himself in his life and turns to his sinister ways, intending to seek vindication for the death of his father.

In this psychological thriller, Lanthimos did not fail to put everyone on the edge of their seat with the mind-blowing premise and narration of the film. Leaving an indelible mark on the minds of many, people are left with nothing but questions about the acceptable facade that each of us is portraying in our day-to-day lives, with the possibility of masking selfish intentions and motivations.

The Lobster (2015)

Focusing on the constant need of people to develop romantic relationships, The Lobster was introduced on the big screen, shining light on the shallowness of individuals pressured to conform to society’s standards of succeeding in relationships. The film revolves around a dystopian world where people are given 45 days to find a romantic partner, with the consequence of being given a unique choice to transform into their preferred animal if unsuccessful. David, the film’s main character, has chosen to be a lobster should he not find a partner. 

The Lobster‘s conditional setting might seem simple at first glance. Still, the deep exploration and storytelling of Lanthimos in the film sparked discussions on the complicated formation of relationships and conformity to society’s obsession with having a significant other, insinuating the question about the vicious cycle one must go through, only to be victimized by another malicious system concerning our viewpoint of having and not having romantic relationships. He won several awards for the film, including the Cannes Jury Prize and Best Screenplay at the European Film Awards with Efthymis Filippou in 2015.

Alps (2011)

Lanthimos, who has unendingly bent typical elements we see in movies, created another piece that proved his genius in the field of filmmaking. In one of his earliest works, he stirred the idea of repression and grief, echoing how people navigate through life dealing with significant loss. The film Alps covers the story of a group of individuals who has established a business wherein they would impersonate the loved ones of the people grieving their loss. 

With this riveting concept, the film’s premise showcases the complexities of human emotions, posing the question of whether we can ease the pain of mourning individuals by replacing their loved ones with another person. Diving into the idea that seeking solace through the comfort of someone who plays the part of what appears to be familiar to us is enough to bring us peace. The film has earned several awards internationally, including Best Screenplay at the Venice Film Festival in 2011 and the Sydney Film Prize in 2012.