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Mystery horror film

Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin (2021): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin (2021) movie poster

Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin is a 2021 mystery horror film directed by William Eubank, starring Emily Bader as Margot, Roland Buck III and Dan Lippert. It runs 2 hours. Critics gave it 30% on Rotten Tomatoes and 37 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.3/10.

IMDb rating
5.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
30%
Echo Score
74
Metascore
37
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Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h (120 min)
Director
William Eubank
Genres
Mystery , Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin About?

The premise of Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

After being abandoned as an infant, Margot seeks answers about her origins and the disappearance of her mother, leading her to an isolated Amish community. There, she uncovers disturbing secrets about her family's history and confronts a troubled past. As Margot investigates, she realizes that some truths are best left undisturbed, and the community holds a darkness she may not be ready to face.

Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • franchise
  • sequel
  • supernatural creature
  • uber
  • vanity
  • sin
  • community
  • religious community
  • isolated community
  • rural community
  • adoptee
  • finding out the real family
+38 more
  • amish culture
  • amish buggy
  • amish people
  • amish man
  • amish woman
  • amish girl
  • amish boy
  • reference to rumspringa
  • dna test
  • abandoned baby
  • abandoning a baby
  • mother abandons her baby
  • recordings from the past
  • buffalo new york
  • drone
  • drone footage
  • director of photography
  • covid 19
  • covid 19 pandemic
  • long covid
  • recording equipment
  • gopro camera
  • forest church
  • froot loops cereal
  • reference to walmart
  • reference to tiktok
  • elder
  • rural life
  • animal farm
  • animal farmer
  • family reunion
  • children's choir
  • freezing weather
  • moonwalk dancing
  • clean air
  • slow motion scene
  • homogeneity
  • repeated suicide attempts
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Cast & crew

Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin Cast & Characters

Emily Bader leads the cast as Margot, with Roland Buck III as Chris and Dan Lippert as Dale. Directed by William Eubank; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin

· 6 more
Ratings

Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin 30% on Rotten Tomatoes and 37 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 74/100, strongest in rewatch factor (85) and weakest in character & emotion (55).

74 /100

Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin Echo Score Breakdown

Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin lands in a middle ground, with critics noting its formulaic structure and limited innovation while audiences respond with strong enthusiasm for its scares and visual execution. The film’s cinematography and sound design receive particular praise, contrasting with criticisms of predictable story beats and thin character work. This divergence yields a moderately above‑average rating that reflects both the franchise’s enduring fan appeal and the reservations of professional reviewers.

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

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of art and craft, the film benefits from crisp handheld camera work and a polished visual palette that exceed typical low‑budget expectations. Critics acknowledge the improved cinematography but point out a lack of directorial novelty and constrained production design. The editing maintains a steady rhythm, yet the overall execution feels more like a technical upgrade than a creative breakthrough. Consequently, the artistic merits are solid but not groundbreaking.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    When evaluating character and emotion, performances are generally competent but fail to leave a distinctive impression. Some reviewers note that the protagonists deliver adequate work, yet the ensemble lacks depth and the chemistry feels interchangeable across the franchise. The script offers limited backstory, resulting in shallow emotional resonance. While a few viewers commend the leads, the consensus is that character development remains under‑cooked, placing this aspect in the middle of the rating spectrum.

  • Story & Flow 60

    Story and flow present a mixed picture; the plot follows familiar possession tropes and suffers from predictability, according to many critics. Pacing stalls in the first act, though the latter half introduces more tension and a twist that some audience members find refreshing. Originality is scarce, yet the narrative does manage occasional effective scares. Overall, the story is serviceable but unremarkable, yielding a moderate score that reflects both its adherence to genre conventions and occasional moments of intrigue.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    Sensory experience stands out, with high‑resolution handheld visuals creating an immersive, almost documentary feel. Sound design delivers sharp jumps and atmospheric cues that heighten tension, while the soundtrack supports the horror mood without overwhelming it. Critics note that the unseen demons work well within this sensory framework. Both visual style and audio execution receive consistent commendation, positioning this aspect toward the higher end of the scale.

  • Rewatch Factor 85

    Rewatch factor is strong among fans, who cite the film’s effective scares and engaging finale as reasons to revisit. Audience enthusiasm translates into high perceived replay value, even if critics question the lasting novelty of the premise. The combination of visual flair and sound‑driven tension encourages multiple viewings for those invested in the franchise. Consequently, the rewatch potential is rated well above average, reflecting its appeal to repeat horror audiences.

Plot

Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Margot and her friend, the cameraman Chris, set out to create a documentary exploring Margot’s troubled past. Abandoned as a baby outside a hospital by her mother, Sarah, the haunting security footage of that moment continues to trouble Margot. Driven by her desire for closure, she soon meets her blood relative, Samuel, who unearthed their connection through a genetics website. Alongside them is Dale, who joins the team as a soundman for the project. Samuel guides them to the secluded Amish community of Beiler Farm, where Margot’s mother originated.

Full summary

The whole story of Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 teaser.

Official Trailer
  • Teaser Teaser
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Paranormal Activity: Next of 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

Who is the primary character searching for her mother in the film?

Cars

Cars in Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin

9 cars on screen, including the 2007 Chevrolet Express and the Ford Crown Victoria.

All 9 cars
  • 2007 Chevrolet Express in Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin 2007 Chevrolet Express Important role
  • Ford Crown Victoria in Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin Ford Crown Victoria Minor role
  • 2015 Ford Transit in Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin 2015 Ford Transit Minor role
  • 2012 Honda Civic in Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin 2012 Honda Civic Minor role
Details

Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin Also Known As

35 alternative titles, including “Red Oak” and “Black Snow”.

Also known as
  • Red Oak
  • Black Snow
  • Paranormal Activity 7
  • 파라노말 액티비티 7
  • Паранормальное явление: Ближайшая родня
  • Atividade Paranormal 7
  • Paranormal Activity - Next of Kin
  • Paranormal Activity Next of Kin
  • Paranormal Activity 7 - Next of Kin
  • パラノーマル・アクティビティ 7
  • เรียลลิตี้ ขนหัวลุก: ข้างๆ
  • 鬼影实录:血亲
+23 more
  • Paranormal Activity 7: Next of Kin
  • Paranormal Activity - Verwandschaftsverhältnisse
  • 파라노말 액티비티: 넥스트 오브 킨
  • Paranormal Activity: Allegados
  • Atividade Paranormal: Descendentes
  • Paranormal Activity: En Yakın Akraba
  • פעילות על-טבעית: קרובת משפחה
  • Actividad Paranormal: Vínculos Familiares
  • Паранормальне явище: Близький родич
  • Atividade Paranormal: Ente Próximo
  • Paranormal Activity: Bliscy krewni
  • Hiện Tượng Siêu Nhiên: Người Thân Tiếp Theo
  • Paranormalūs reiškiniai: Artimiausias giminaitis
  • Paranormalna aktivnost: Posljednji rođak
  • Parajelenségek: Kapcsolódás
  • 鬼入鏡:血親
  • Paranormal Activity - Parente prossimo
  • Паранормална активност: Близки роднини
  • パラノーマル・アクティビティ7
  • เรียลลิตี้ ขนหัวลุก: ทายาทสยอง
  • Activité paranormale : Plus proche parent, პარანორმალური მოვლენები: ახლო ნათესავი
  • 午夜來嚇:血親
  • Activitate paranormală: Următoarea rudă

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FAQ

Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin?

Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin runs 2 hours (120 minutes).

When was Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin released?

Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin was released on October 29, 2021.

Who directed Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin?

Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin was directed by William Eubank.

More films by William Eubank

Who is in the cast of Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin?

Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin stars Emily Bader as Margot, Roland Buck III as Chris and Dan Lippert as Dale, among 10 credited actors.

How is Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin rated?

Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin has 5.3/10 on IMDb, 30% on Rotten Tomatoes, 37 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Does Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin have a post-credit scene?

No. Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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