Filmmaker Margot (Emily Bader) was abandoned as a baby. Desperate to find her birth family, she decides to make a documentary of her journey. After scouring the internet, she eventually learns she’s of Amish heritage and goes to spend some time on her family’s farm. Margot gets permission from the sect to film the documentary and before long, she realizes something paranormal is afoot. (The fact that she found an Amish family on 23andMe should’ve been a major red flag.)
It’s no secret that I am not a fan of the Paranormal Activity series, or of the Found Footage subgenre in general. However, Next of Kin feels much too polished to belong in the franchise. I know we have come a long way with technology in the years since the series began. I know GoPro cameras and iPhones can give you a much better picture than the home video cameras of old. It’s just that there are some stretches where it comes dangerously close to feeling like a “real” movie.
Sure, there are the requisite shaky-cam and night vision sequences (the scene where Margot is being lowered into a deep cavern is especially nauseating), but some sequences betray the Found Footage format. Take for instance the dinner scene where the Amish family rhythmically pounds their fists on the dinner table. There must be ten or twelve cuts to various family members thumping their fists. Did the camera crew have time to edit the footage before it was “found”?
The looser-than-loose continuity makes it feel more like a one-off with the Paranormal Activity name attached than an honest-to-goodness continuation. The finale, with its Gollum-like creature feels closer in tone to The Descent than anything in the previous movies. There are also some visual cues from The Blair Witch Project too, which is kind of weird. It’s like they forgot which franchise they were making a sequel to. We do get one memorable bit involving a potato peeler, but for the most part, Next of Kin offers next to no entertainment.
For my thoughts on the rest of the Paranormal Activity franchise, pick up a copy of my book, The Bloody Book of Horror on Amazon today: The Bloody Book of Horror: Lovell, Mitch: 9781542566629: Amazon.com: Books
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