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Action thriller

Kin (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Kin (2018) movie poster

Kin is a 2018 action thriller directed by Jonathan Baker and Josh Baker, starring Jack Reynor as Jimmy Solinski, Myles Truitt and Dennis Quaid. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes and earned $10.3 million worldwide on a $30 million budget. Critics gave it 36% on Rotten Tomatoes and 35 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10.

IMDb rating
5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
36%
worldwide gross
$10.3M
Echo Score
60
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Kin (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 42m (102 min)
Directors
Jonathan Baker and Josh Baker
Original language
English
Budget
$30M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Kin About?

The premise of Kin without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

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.

Kin Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • teenage boy
  • brother brother relationship
  • motel
  • burglary
  • casino
  • fbi agent
  • teenager
  • coming of age
  • revenge
  • funeral pyre
  • murder
  • hotel
+38 more
  • adopted brother adopted brother relationship
  • urinating in public
  • one word title
  • based on short film
  • 14 year old boy
  • flashlight
  • alien weapon
  • release from jail
  • dog barks
  • playing a video game
  • debt
  • telephone call
  • phone message
  • money
  • police arrest
  • bullet
  • suspense
  • electronic music score
  • 2010s
  • montage
  • revelation
  • neo noir
  • scene during opening credits
  • flashback
  • shootout
  • gunfight
  • gun battle
  • on the run
  • fugitive
  • road trip
  • on the road
  • detroit michigan
  • iowa
  • nebraska
  • las vegas nevada
  • nevada
  • directorial debut
  • explosion
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Cast & crew

Kin Cast & Characters

Jack Reynor leads the cast as Jimmy Solinski, with Myles Truitt as Eli Solinski and Dennis Quaid as Hal Solinski. Directed by Jonathan Baker and Josh Baker; 15 actors are credited in all.

From the directors

More from Jonathan Baker and Josh Baker

More films directed by Jonathan Baker and Josh Baker, best-rated first: Inconceivable and Bag Man.

Ratings

Kin Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Kin 36% on Rotten Tomatoes and 35 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 60/100, strongest in character & emotion (70) and weakest in story & flow (35).

60 /100

Kin Echo Score Breakdown

In overall terms, Kin exhibits uneven accomplishment, balancing moments of technical polish with a narrative that often falters. The film’s visual composition and occasional flair in cinematography provide intermittent engagement, yet character relationships and emotional depth receive mixed responses. Story structure and pacing are widely criticized for incoherence and derivative elements, while the soundtrack and visual style offer more consistent appeal. Replay value remains moderate, driven by appealing performances but hindered by a script that limits lasting fascination. Ultimately, Kin’s net impression is one of promise undercut by execution.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of Art & Craft, Kin demonstrates moments of visual polish alongside evidence of budgetary constraint. Fine camera work receives praise for its measured framing and occasional bursts of dynamic movement. Conversely, some critics and viewers found production design uneven and occasionally gaudy. Overall, the film’s technical presentation shows competence but lacks consistent innovation.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, Kin offers appealing performances that resonate at times but struggle to sustain depth. Lead portrayals are lauded for their chemistry and moments of genuine warmth, yet critics observed a lack of consistent emotional resonance and hollow relational dynamics. The film’s familial bonds garner intermittent engagement but fail to achieve full empathy.

  • Story & Flow 35

    In Story & Flow, Kin is broadly criticized for its uneven coherence and erratic pacing. The narrative’s blend of genres is seen as disjointed, leading to a finale perceived as implausible. While some plot devices spark momentary interest, the script’s derivative elements and inconsistent momentum undermine sustained engagement throughout the film.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    When evaluating Sensory Experience, Kin displays a strong audiovisual presence amid occasional shortcomings. Cinematography is commended for its measured compositions, and the soundtrack contributes tension in key sequences. Positive reception of CGI and sound design contrasts with observations of generic visual style. The film’s sensory facets provide intermittent immersion despite limited stylistic cohesion.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Regarding Rewatch Factor, Kin yields moderate replay value, driven by moments of solid performances and visual flair. Some viewers report enjoyment in subsequent viewings due to the film’s blend of drama and sci-fi elements, while others find the script’s inconsistencies diminish lasting appeal. Overall, the movie offers occasional rewards for repeat engagement but lacks enduring depth.

Plot

Kin Plot Summary

What happens in Kin from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

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.

Full summary

The whole story of Kin, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Kin Box Office & Budget

Kin grossed $10.3 million worldwide on a $30 million budget, 34% of what it cost. $5.7 million came from the US and Canada and $4.6 million (45%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$10.3M

34% of its budget back

US & Canada
$5.7M
International
$4.6M
Budget
$30M
US & Canada 55% Rest of the world 45%
Videos

Kin Trailers & Videos

6 videos: 2 trailers, 3 clips and 1 featurette.

All 6 videos
KIN (2018 Movie) Official Trailer - Dennis Quaid, Zoë Kravitz
  • Trailer Kin (2018) - International Trailer
  • Clip KIN (2018 Movie) Official Clip “Field Shooting” - Dennis Quaid, Zoe Kravitz
  • Clip KIN (2018 Movie) Official Clip “Pool Table” - Dennis Quaid, Zoe Kravitz
  • Clip KIN (2018 Movie) Official Clip “Outside Motel” - Dennis Quaid, Zoe Kravitz
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Kin?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What does Hal Solinski do when he receives a call from Eli's school?

Cars

Cars in Kin

36 cars on screen, including the 2004 Ford F-150 and the 1990 Chrysler Imperial.

All 36 cars
  • 2004 Ford F-150 in Kin 2004 Ford F-150 Main role
  • 1990 Chrysler Imperial in Kin 1990 Chrysler Imperial Important role
  • 2016 Ducati XDiavel S in Kin 2016 Ducati XDiavel S Important role
  • 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe in Kin 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe Minor role
Details

Kin Also Known As

22 alternative titles, including “킨-더 비기닝” and “El legado”.

Also known as
  • 킨-더 비기닝
  • El legado
  • Kin : Le Commencement
  • Рідня
  • 天煞重炮
  • Кин
  • קשר קטלני
  • Brolis
  • Kin: Smrtící zbraň
  • 킨: 더 비기닝
  • Kin. Zabójcza Broń
  • Kin - Arma Letal
+10 more
  • A kötelék
  • Înrudiți
  • 同族
  • 光戰未來
  • โคตรปืนเอเลี่ยน
  • Brāļi
  • کین
  • Vũ Khí Bí Ẩn
  • KIN/キン
  • Kin: Smrtiaca zbraň, კინი

Seen Kin?

FAQ

Kin FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Kin, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Kin?

Kin runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).

When was Kin released?

Kin was released on August 31, 2018.

Who directed Kin?

Kin was directed by Jonathan Baker and Josh Baker.

More films by Jonathan Baker

Who is in the cast of Kin?

Kin stars Jack Reynor as Jimmy Solinski, Myles Truitt as Eli Solinski and Dennis Quaid as Hal Solinski, among 15 credited actors.

How much did Kin make at the box office?

Kin grossed $10.3 million worldwide ($5.7 million domestic, $4.6 million international) on a budget of $30 million.

How is Kin rated?

Kin has 5.8/10 on IMDb, 36% on Rotten Tomatoes, 35 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Does Kin have a post-credit scene?

No. Kin has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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