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Next of Kin
1989 108 min United States of America R 16+
★6.0
Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Director: John Irvin
Trailers
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EN
Description
Truman Gates, a Chicago cop, sets out to find his brother's killer. Meanwhile, another of his brothers, Briar (a hillbilly) decides to find the killer himself.
Budget:
$12M
US Gross:
$15.94M
Worldwide:
$15.94M
Starring
Patrick Swayze
Actor
Liam Neeson
Actor
Adam Baldwin
Actor
Awards
Razzie Awards 1990
— Worst Actor
Key opinion
Next of Kin is viewed as a competent but unremarkable genre-blending revenge thriller that relies heavily on its star-studded cast to maintain interest. While the eclectic mix of Appalachian and mob tropes offers novelty, the film suffers from inconsistent pacing and a lack of narrative momentum.
| Acting | The film serves as a compelling time capsule, featuring early-career performances from stars like Liam Neeson, Bill Paxton, and Ben Stiller. | |
| Direction | The climactic graveyard shootout offers a memorable, chaotic spectacle that differentiates the film from standard action fare. | |
| Acting | Patrick Swayze delivers a restrained and believable performance as a Chicago cop caught between two worlds, successfully avoiding his usual romantic typecasting. | |
| Acting | Liam Neeson's attempt at an Appalachian accent is widely considered unconvincing and distracting. | |
| Pacing | The film's pacing divides viewers; some find the standard, methodical character-driven setup entertaining, while others feel the lack of momentum makes the experience tedious. |