Common Sense Media Review
By Stefan Pape
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Chilling psychological thriller has some gore and language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Kindred
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
KINDRED delves into the life of Charlotte (Tamara Lawrence) who is visiting her boyfriend's mother, Margaret (Fiona Shaw) and family friend Thomas (Jack Lowden) at their country abode. With plans to relocate to Australia, and with a baby on the way, Charlotte is shocked when her boyfriend is killed in a freak accident with a horse, leaving her to fend for herself while pregnant, and with the family he leaves behind curiously obsessed with her every move.
Is It Any Good?
Kindred is a compelling thriller that plays gloriously on the notion of trust -- or lack thereof. The lead character of Charlotte, brought to life brilliantly by Lawrence, is that archetypal lead in a film of this nature, manipulated, and vitally, never knowing who to believe, and that includes herself. Pregnant and emotionally vulnerable, she becomes convinced that her recently dead boyfriend's family is trying to control both her and her unborn baby. This creates a mysterious, unsettling atmosphere, as like the sympathetic Charlotte, we don't know what we can and can't believe.
Yet while conventional at times in playing up to the beats of the genre, it's a unique movie, and utilizes its remote setting to great effect. The ensemble are what make this though, as joining Lawrence is the always-excellent Shaw, and Lowden who turns in a fantastic display as a character you wouldn't trust as far as you could throw him.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether Kindred is scary? Which bits did you find unsettling? How do psychological horrors like this compare to other horror movies? At what age can my teen watch horror movies?
There are a couple of gory sequences that show bloodshed -- how did this make you feel? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
Talk about the strong language in the movie. Does it seem necessary or excessive? What does it contribute to the movie?
Discuss the character of Charlotte. What character strengths does she display?
Charlotte talks about her mother's mental illness and concedes she too may be suffering from paranoia and anxiety. How vital is it people open up and talk about mental health?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 6, 2020
- On DVD or streaming : November 6, 2020
- Cast : Tamara Lawrence , Jack Lowden , Fiona Shaw
- Director : Joe Marcantonio
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Lesbian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : IFC Midnight
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 101 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : January 20, 2022
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