Next of Kin
Next of Kin

Next of Kin

1989Movie108 minEnglish

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.

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Insights

IMDb6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes50%
Google Users71%
Director: John IrvinGenres: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

A Chicago detective, Truman Gates, finds himself caught between his estranged Sicilian-American family and the dangerous world of organized crime. When his brother is murdered, Truman must confront his heritage and embark on a violent quest for revenge against the mobsters responsible. He is aided by his grizzled, blue-collar father and his estranged brother's best friend, who have their own motives and methods for dealing with the criminals.

Critical Reception

Next of Kin received mixed reviews from critics, with many praising Patrick Swayze's performance and the action sequences. However, some critics found the plot to be predictable and the portrayal of Sicilian culture to be stereotypical. Audience reception was generally more positive, appreciating the film's gritty action and Swayze's star power.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its energetic action sequences and Patrick Swayze's performance.
  • Criticized for a formulaic plot and occasional ethnic stereotyping.
  • Offers a solid, if unoriginal, crime thriller experience.

Google audience: Google users generally found 'Next of Kin' to be an entertaining action film, with many appreciating Patrick Swayze's charisma and the film's violent, fast-paced nature. Some viewers noted that the story was somewhat predictable but still found it enjoyable as a straightforward revenge thriller.

Fun Fact

The film's portrayal of Sicilian-American culture and family dynamics was controversial, with some critics and audiences finding it to be a collection of clichés rather than an authentic representation.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
tmdb28039023

tmdb28039023

Like its hero, Next of Kin is an anomaly — a thriller about a family feud between hillbillies and wiseguys that brings together Patrick Swayze, Liam Neeson, Adam Baldwin, Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton and Ben Stiller. Truman Gates (Swayze) is as...
John Chard

John Chard

Appalachian Clan vS. The Chicago Mob Patrick Swayze stars in an action revenge thriller in the same year that he also made Road House, the following year he made Ghost, these were two years after he had made a sensual splash with Dirty D...
tmdb27510395

tmdb27510395

Well, without reviewing the entire movie I will suggest this. Liam Neeson, God love him, should never again do a movie with a hillbilly accent.