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Generationally, we’re seeing more and more younger audiences resistant to watching older movies, especially older horror movies. The impression seems to be that older movies, despite their best efforts, just aren’t as scary as the newer ones. That’s wrong, of course. There are plenty of older horror movies that rank among the best ever made (looking at you, The Changeling). It’s hard enough to recommend the classics, and harder still to encourage the deep cuts. Luckily, some modern filmmakers are trying their best, and one recommendation comes courtesy of writer/director Quentin Tarantino. Tarantino loves to recommend obscure, cult horror movies, though his praise for 1982’s Next of Kin is especially appreciated.
Per Tubi: After Linda inherits a retirement home, she witnesses a series of strange events which seem connected to a dark and unspeakable evil.
Tony Williams’ Next of Kin is an odd one. It’s somber, slow, and very, very werid. It’s also, luckily, really good. Presently, the film is sitting at a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with some critics claiming, “Next of Kin surfs the low-budget ‘Ozploitation’ rip curl of the Australian New Wave, and spends its European inheritance on a local almost-ghost story with a strong sense of place.”
Modern audiences and critics have likened Next of Kin to The Shining, arguing it’s not only one of the strongest Australian horror films of the era, but a cult classic that deserves to stand alongside Kubrick’s genre heavyweight. Quentin Tarantino felt the same way. In the Not Quite Hollywood documentary, Tarantino called Next of Kin “a horror movie unlike any other.” He went on to praise the “very, very unique tone,” calling the film, “the closest equivalent to The Shining.” He’s not exactly wrong, either. When you watch it, you’ll know what he means.
I first caught Next of Kin during my summer of obscure horror. I spent the dog days of the hottest months streaming and tracking down the weirdest, most obscure horror movies I could. I watched a lot of forgotten made-for-television films, hallucinogenic slashers like Boardinghouse, and, of course, cult oddities like Next of Kin. Seriously, if you can manage it, I’d absolutely encourage you to marathon-watch the weirdest horror movies you can. There are few things quite as enjoyable.
Better still, Next of Kin is now streaming free on Tubi. I’d encourage you to check in, and when you do, let me know what you thought over on Twitter @Chadiscollins.
Categorized:News
