THE KINDRED (1987)
I wanted to end my mad "14 in 14" experiment on a high note, so it's a good thing that I took a chance on this sci-fi/horror sleeper. Nutshell review? Rad monster, no other notes needed. At least that's what I would write on Letterboxd, provided I had the time and energy to maintain my Letterboxd account. I want to make sure that I don't bury the lede. This flick is a dream, and I'm genuinely surprised - no, mortified that it remains criminally underseen. It didn't even debut on disc until three years ago. Apparently, a swathe of legal red tape safeguarded its status as a VHS rarity for years. Now that I think about it, I might own it on video, but I'd have to check my haunted closet to be sure. None of that matters. The Kindred is based on an original screenplay, though you would swear that it's an adaptation of an H.P. Lovecraft story. After John's mother dies of a heart attack, he is tasked with canvassing his childhood home (not in the political sense). You see, Mom was working on a paragraph break. Hold that thought.
Anyway, it turns out that the matriarch of John's family, herself a scientist, was conducting genetic research of some kind. It was her dying wish that her experiments be terminated. Why? What horrible secrets can be found in the Anthony journals? And who the hell is Anthony??? My lips are sealed, but I will tell you that the answer involves a cluster bomb of slime, tentacles, and other sweet practical effects. The climax is a trip, man. According to the behind-the-scenes featurette on the Blu-ray, co-directors Jeffrey Obrow and Stephen Carpenter were able to play with a budget of $3 million. It shows. Moreover, we get to know three-dimensional characters as the horror unfolds. I don't know who was responsible for the dialogue (there are five people credited as writers, and that includes Psycho scribe Joseph Stefano), but everyone sounds grounded.
I can't heap enough praises on The Kindred. It comes dangerously close to 5-Z'Dar territory. Recommended to fans of awesome stuff.
Taken from the bonkers UK poster.
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