The “Kindred” movie comes fresh from IFC Midnight. A debut directorial feature film from Joe Marcantonio, who wrote it alongside Jason McColgan. Produced by Reiver Pictures, this psychological horror and thriller movie is an impressive collaboration of intense cinematography and top-notch performances. Maintaining the spotlight is a cast of just 3, with a supporting cast holding posts simply to get the job done. This certainly didn’t harm the overall claustrophobic and diabolical plot points. Starring Killing Eve’s Fiona Shaw as Margaret, Jack Lowden (Dunkirk) as Thomas, and Tamara Lawrence (The Long Song) as Charlotte, the three create an enviable ensemble.
The story begins with Charlotte attending her boyfriend’s mother’s estate. Together the two lovers bring news of an impending plan to move overseas. Charlotte discovers she’s pregnant and soon after her boyfriend, Ben (Edward Holcroft) dies in a freak accident. The narrative is superlative in creating the basis of preconceived family tension. To top it off Charlotte is then left alone to face Ben’s manipulative matriarch.
The Tension Builds Despite Flaws
There is certainly a feeling of predictability in the Kindred movie. Have we seen all this before? That might be so, but Kindred shows off with the most beautiful sprawling mansion setting far from anything of interest. Aesthetics created by carefully calculated camerawork slowly cause this generous estate to feel as small as it possibly could. As Charlotte mourns her partner, Margaret and Thomas work at ensuring she has everything she needs. Margaret’s clear intentions of a do-over and inclination to ensure her grandchild remains as close as possible, form the perfect storm.
An escalation begins and the perfect amount of detailed background information provides authenticity instead of leaving the audience feeling duped. While Mother of Movies has the ability to engage in the suspension of plausibility, Kindred manages to eke out the right doses of believability. What’s more, I was left with a small seed of doubt in the closing quarter that managed to tickle my anxiety.
Other Reviews For Kindred Movie
The Kindred movie has not been received particularly well on certain parts of the internet. Additionally, reviews that reflect negatively on the film cite malnourished explanations and a generic storyline as some of the reasons for offering poor ratings. Without a doubt, this film sets a scenario that has been widely scoped out. Specifically, there are hints of “Get Out” and “Hereditary” flapping about in the four walls of this parental nightmare.
But, as someone who loves genre-switching films and stories of this kind, I liked it. Kindred relishes the psychological horror of instilling fear, into a scenario where there should not be fear. I especially found the restrained dialogue to be an asset. It made room for small details to play out with the use of imagery in combination with a perceived psychosis. In no uncertain terms, Charlotte is being driven mad. But is her craziness a condition of her own making, or was it orchestrated as an end to a means?
Overall, there is enough difference for Kindred to be a tense solid game of orchestrated continuity of lineage within a poisonous family structure. Even without the shock value of the more popular films of its kind, it’s unsettling to its core.
The Kindred movie is rated
3.75 She drives me a little out of my mind out of 5
For more information on the Kindred Movie, check out this review from The Movie Spoiler.
Kindred Movie Trailer, Watch It For Yourself
- DIRECTED BY JOE MARCANTONIO
- WRITTEN BY JOE MARCANTONIO & JASON McCOLGAN
- PRODUCED BY DOMINIC NORRIS & JACK LOWDEN
- Stars: Chloe Pirrie, Fiona Shaw, Anton Lesser, Jack Lowden, Edward Holcroft, Kiran Sonia Sawar, and Tamara Lawrence.
- Acquired as a screener from IFC Films for the purposes of review.
- The drama and horror, mystery film was released on November 6th, 2020.
- Stream Kindred at home On-Demand or as a rental in the USA
