During the 1970s and 1980s the Australian new wave led to a number of actors and directors forging a career within Hollywood. A small, but important, element of this was the rise of Ozsploitation. These R-rated low-budget horror, martial arts, comedy and action films attracted a cult following. Some of the classics include Razorback, Patrick, Wake in Fright, Long Weekend, Road Games and, of course, Mad Max. Whilst not quite as well known, Tony Williams’ Next of Kin is an entertaining slice of genre cinema.
When her mother dies, Linda (Jackie Kerin) inherits her estate; including a retirement home called Montclare. Whilst she’s back home sorting out her affairs, residents start dying in strange circumstances. She begins to suspect that the local physician Dr Barton (Alex Scott) and the housekeeper Connie (Gerda Nicolson) are behind the odd deaths. The truth might be something much stranger.
A lot of care and attention has gone into Next of Kin. Whilst the story itself verges at times on the surreal, it’s constructed in a meticulous and thoughtful way. This includes some absolutely wonderful camerawork and clever plotting. Whilst it doesn’t all come together, there are some truly great moments and the ending is brilliant. Next of Kin is an Antipodean horror with an eerie edge.
Special features:
- Audio commentary with Director Tony Willams and Producer Tim White
- Audio commentary with cast members John Jarratt, Jackie Kerrin, Robert Ratti and Not Quite Hollywood Director, Mark Hartley.
- Return to Montclare: Next of Kin Shooting locations revisited
- Extended interviews from Not Quite Hollywood
- Deleted Scenes
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- VHS Trailer
- German Trailer
- German Opening Credits
- Before the Night is Out – Complete ballroom dancing footage from 1978
- Image Gallery
- Tony Williams shorts from 1971: Getting Together + The Day We Landed on the Most Perfect Planet in the Universe
Next of Kin is released on Blu-ray by Second Sight Films on 25 March.
