The Kindred
The Kindred Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 16, 2026
Movie Overview: The Kindred
| Movie | The Kindred |
| Release Year | 1987 |
| Director | Stephen Carpenter |
| Genre | Horror / Science Fiction |
| Runtime | 93 minutes |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Kindred (1987) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Horror.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Kindred are led by David Allen Brooks . The supporting cast, including Rod Steiger and Amanda Pays , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While The Kindred does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Horror films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Kindred has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Horror fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Kindred
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1987, The Kindred is a Horror, Science Fiction film directed by Stephen Carpenter. The narrative crafts an atmosphere of dread and suspense, using psychological terror and visual scares. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving David Allen Brooks.
Ending Explained: The Kindred
The Kindred Ending Explained: Directed by Stephen Carpenter, The Kindred wraps up the main storyline while leaving some interpretation to viewers. The ending highlights the core horror themes developed throughout the film.
The final moments emphasize tension and lingering uncertainty, particularly in scenes involving David Allen Brooks. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
- Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the horror themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of The Kindred reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch The Kindred?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Horror films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of David Allen Brooks or the director
- Want a few scares and creepy atmosphere
Top Cast: The Kindred
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Where to Watch The Kindred Online?
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Shudder Apple TV ChannelThe Kindred Parents Guide & Age Rating
1987 AdvisoryWondering about The Kindred age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Kindred is 93 minutes (1h 33m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.0/10, and global performance metrics, The Kindred is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1987 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Kindred worth watching?
The Kindred is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Horror movies. It has a verified rating of 6/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Kindred parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Kindred identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Kindred?
The total duration of The Kindred is 93 minutes, which is approximately 1h 33m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Kindred
**_A rural house on the coast of SoCal and the genetic mutations thereof_** A doctor in Los Angeles (David Allen Brooks) is instructed by his dying mother, a revolutionary geneticist, to destroy her work at the family homestead. So, he leads a team up there, but their stay is interrupted by some… thing. "The Kindred" (1987) is similar in spirit to “The Boogens” from six years prior and the soon-to-come “Slugs.” It mixes HP Lovecraft with horror bits from “Halloween,” “Alien” and “Jaws.” For instance, there’s an aged doctor in the periphery who’s reminiscent of Donald Pleasence’s Dr. Loomis, just less noble (Rod Steiger). It’s okay, but seems off somehow and therefore is the least of these, which explains its obscurity. The female cast is decent with Talia Balsam (Sharon), Amanda Pays (Melissa) and Julia Montgomery (Cindy), but the director evidently didn’t know how to shoot women. While it won’t strike you at first, the movie ends up being a cabin-in-the-woods flick. It delivers the goods just enough if you’re in the mood for such a film but, like I said, it’s not exactly great or even really good. It needed another rewrite to flush out more entertainment. It runs 1 hour, 33 minutes, and was shot at Laird International Studio in Culver City, but also nearby Los Angeles (the hospital) and Mentryville (Amanda’s house), which is an hour’s drive northwest of the city, just west of Santa Clarita. GRADE: C
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.










