Year: 2018
Runtime: 102 min
Language: English
Directors: Jonathan Baker, Josh Baker
In a decaying Detroit, teenager Eli Solinski scavenges for copper wire when he discovers a powerful, advanced weapon. When his brother Jimmy is captured by a dangerous crime lord, the brothers must find a way to escape. They are forced to confront a ruthless adversary and his army of technologically advanced mercenaries in a desperate fight for survival, testing their courage and resourcefulness.
Warning: spoilers below!
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Kin (2018), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
The film opens with a haunting image of an abandoned factory, forgotten and crumbling, until suddenly an explosion rocks its walls. We are introduced to Hal Solinski (Dennis Quaid), who is summoned from school to deal with his adopted son Eli (Myles Truitt), who has landed in trouble after getting into a fight at school. Eli defends his actions, claiming the boy hurled insults at his mother. Hal attempts to uplift his son, emphasizing the importance of holding one’s head high. He informs Eli that his estranged older brother Jimmy (Jack Reynor) is about to be released from prison after a six-year sentence, revealing the underlying tension and unresolved issues surrounding their family dynamics.
As Eli cycles through the factory grounds, curiosity leads him to discover a gun beside dead bodies. When one of the corpses suddenly shifts, panic ensues, pushing Eli to flee on his bike.
Upon Jimmy’s return home, an awkward dinner with Hal and Eli highlights the complexity of their strained relationships. Following the meal, Jimmy attempts to establish a connection with Eli, but old tensions remain. He soon finds himself facing his former boss, crime lord Taylor Balik (James Franco), from whom he owes a staggering $60,000. Taylor’s violent threats toward Hal and Eli compel Jimmy to take drastic action; he seeks financial help from Hal but is met with rejection, leading to a confrontation that culminates in Hal being shot by Taylor during a robbery gone awry.
In the chaos, Jimmy escapes with Eli, keeping the tragic news of Hal’s fate from him. The brothers hide out in a strip club, where they meet Milly (Zoë Kravitz), a dancer who becomes an ally. However, a drunken incident involving Jimmy sends tensions rising, leading to Eli taking matters into his own hands when he attempts to protect his brother, inadvertently attracting the attention of mysterious figures known as the Cleaners.
As they hide out in a motel, Jimmy’s reckless behavior leads to his arrest. Eli discovers the truth about their father’s death and desperately seeks to rescue Jimmy. During a violent showdown at the police station, Eli uses the gun to save his brother, only to find themselves amidst a standoff.
In a pivotal moment, the Cleaners intervene, manipulating time and revealing to Eli that he possesses extraordinary capabilities that link him to their world. As they prepare to leave, they tactfully redirect a bullet fired by Taylor, sealing his fate. As the SWAT team storms the building, Jimmy is once again captured. In a twist of fate, Eli finds solace in the arrival of Milly, as strange powers awaken within him, hinting at his potential future alongside the Cleaners.
Last Updated: October 31, 2024 at 15:04
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Track the full timeline of Kin with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
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