Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

The Kindred Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 25, 2021

The co-writers/co-directors of “The Dorm That Dripped Blood” and “The Power,” Stephen Carpenter and Jeffrey Obrow, make a third attempt to do something vicious and mysterious in the horror genre with 1987’s “The Kindred.” They go the monster movie route, creating a bizarre but compelling tale of genetic experimentation and scientific mistakes, aiming to pull viewers in with elements of exploration before unleashing their true creature feature intent. “The Kindred” doesn’t have the sharpest acting or screenwriting, but it does make a noticeable effort to deliver gruesome encounters with the central monstrosity, and the helmers are committed to a brisk pace for the endeavor, giving it speed when overall polish sometimes eludes them.

John (David Allen Brooks) is a scientist at the Geneticell Corporation, and he’s relieved to learn that his mother, Amanda (Kim Hunter), has emerged from a coma. Visiting his parent, John is unnerved by her language concerning “Anthony,” coming to understand that he may have a brother he’s never met. Tasked with cleaning up his boyhood home after Amanda suddenly passes away, John travels to rural California with his girlfriend, Sharon (Talia Balsam), soon joined by students Hart (Timothy Gibbs), Brad (Peter Frechette), Nell (Bunky Jones), and Cindy (Julia Montgomery), who agree to help with the mess. John is curious about his mother’s research into “hemocyanin” and her ties to Dr. Lloyd (Rod Steiger), a colleague who has trouble covering up his dark side. Arriving to help with the curious case of Anthony is Melissa (Amanda Pays), who’s determined to get close to John, exploring what exactly Amanda was up to in the middle of nowhere.

Obrow and Carpenter make something of an homage to weird science movies of the 1950s with “The Kindred,” creating a story that involves dangerous genetic professionals, “secret projects,” and a cast of expendable young scientists trying to help their boss with the exploration of his past. There’s a question mark in Melissa, who emerges with sudden interest in Amanda’s research, and there’s Dr. Lloyd, a tense man up to no good in his own laboratory, paying for the use of freshly expired bodies. And there’s John, a seemingly normal guy distraught over the sudden life and loss of his mother, endeavoring to reconnect with his childhood by making sense of Amanda’s home, bringing Sharon along for the journey. The writing does well with introductions and character connections, and it generates a feel for the unknown as the gang takes over the house, which has much more than a simple basement underneath the floorboards.

“The Kindred” doesn’t try to hide its central threat, or save it for the final act. Anthony’s horror emerges quickly, first through the violent ways of searching tentacles, which take care of a pet and burst out of a watermelon. More defined shape of experimental horrors emerge as the story unfolds, giving the production opportunities to showcase impressive special effects that explore lab experiments, and there’s the larger presence of Anthony. “The Kindred” is enjoyably gruesome with excellent technical achievements at times, giving fans of gory films a decent ride of bloody and slimy events, as Obrow and Carpenter are quite committed to making the picture a mess.

The Kindred Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation of "The Kindred" is sourced from a 35mm interpositive of the uncut version of the film. Colors have been respectfully refreshed, bringing life to the weird science hues of the endeavor, with glowing greens and pinks. Rural greenery is distinct, and housing interiors are sharp. Human skintones are natural, and creature effects register with grayish, greenish appearances. Detail is strong throughout, preserving the goopy, grisly textures of the monsters and skin-slicing makeup work. Costuming is fibrous, and decorative additions to the home and various labs are open for inspection. Country distances are dimensional. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in excellent condition.

The Kindred Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

A 2.0 DTS-HD MA "original" sound mix has been included, along with a newly created 5.1 DTS-HD MA track. The latter provides an engrossing understanding of dialogue exchanges, which retain ideal clarity, and moments of panic don't slip into distortion. Scoring cues offer clean instrumentation and support. Surrounds are utilized for atmospherics, including rainfall and household exploration. Low-end isn't challenged, but violent attacks carry some power, along with property destruction.

The Kindred Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (six pages) contains an essay by Michael Gingold and restoration and release notes (explaining why it took 15 years to put "The Kindred" out on disc) by Don May, Jr.

• CD Soundtrack contains the original score by David Newman.

• Commentary features filmmakers Stephen Carpenter and Jeffrey Obrow.

• "Inhuman Experiments: The Making of 'The Kindred'" (51:16, HD) features interviews with filmmakers Jeffrey Obrow and Stephen Carpenter, production designer Chris Hopkins, co-writers/co-editors John Penney and Earl Ghaffari, actors David Allen Brooks and Amanda Pays, special make effects artists Matthew Mungle and Michael McCracken, Jr., special creature effects artist James McPherson, and composer David Newman. As young horror fans in film school, Obrow and Carpenter took inspiration from "Halloween," creating their first movie, "The Dorm That Dripped Blood," while they were students. Building a team with their follow-up, "The Power," Obrow and Carpenter started to develop the initial idea for "The Kindred," which was initially titled "Experiment DNA." Constructing a sizzle reel, financing was found, and screenplay help arrived with "Psycho" writer, Joseph Stefano. Working with California locations and iconic studio space, production began with a capable cast, and most of the interviewees have thoughts to share on Rod Steiger's on-set behavior. Special effects are celebrated, exploring creative challenges and the construction of the Anthony, giving the monster a phallic look. Reshoots are detailed, scoring needs are recalled, and the release of "The Kindred" is analyzed, with the endeavor finding a fanbase on VHS and cable.

• On-Set Footage (17:52, SD) allows viewers to watch the production in motion, with cast and crew working on creating suspenseful scenes with full creature effects, refining movements and makeup. Also presented are conversations with a few of the monsters.

• Storyboards (3:23) contain pre-production planning art for the sequence, "Anthony Attacks."

• Still Gallery (11:08) collects makeup tests, BTS snaps, film stills, design sketches, and poster art.

• T.V. Spots(1:07, SD) offer two commercials for "The Kindred."

• And a Video Trailer (:59, SD) and a Theatrical Trailer (1:58, HD) are included.

The Kindred Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Kindred" offers a few macabre visions to add surprise to the picture, which takes a formulaic turn into a final showdown scenario, but Obrow and Carpenter enjoy the journey there, trying to work the film into proper horror show, dealing with creatures and corrupt humans (Steiger brings his brand of hard thespian emphasis to transform Dr. Lloyd into an interesting threat). Flashes of manipulation and slasher formula emerge, but the professionals stick with their goopy way, manufacturing a compelling creature feature that doesn't linger on B-movie habits, trying to get to the good stuff as fast as possible, and with the best production effort limited money can buy.