The Psychological Chains of Trauma in Kind of Kindness

Why do some people stay bound to those who hurt them the most? Abuse doesn’t always begin with aggression—it often starts with charm, affection, and subtle manipulation that slowly escalates into a toxic dynamic of control and submission. Kind of Kindness (2024), directed by the Yorgos Lanthimos, pulls us deep into this unsettling question. 

At the heart of the three stories is a psychological phenomenon that defies logic—why victims of abuse often stay emotionally tethered to their abusers. The film touches on the manipulative, push-pull dynamic of control and emotional vulnerability, showing how power imbalances and psychological manipulation create a toxic bond that becomes harder to break the deeper it goes. To understand how trauma bonding works, we’ll look at the psychology of abusive relationships and how the brain responds to prolonged emotional manipulation.