What Is The Kiss About?
The premise of The Kiss in 262 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the quiet suburbs of Albany, a teenage girl named Amy Halloran is left to navigate the sudden void left by her mother’s death. The house that once hummed with familiar comforts now feels thin, as if unseen forces are pressing against its walls. Everyday moments begin to warp with a subtle, unsettling presence that seems to seep into the corners of her life, turning ordinary rooms into spaces where the ordinary and the uncanny coexist.
The fragile balance of the Halloran household is further disturbed when Felice, the estranged sister of Amy’s late mother, arrives unannounced. Her presence is both alluring and disconcerting, as she slips seamlessly into the family’s routine, offering a connection to a past that Amy never truly knew. Jack, Amy’s father, finds his world quietly shifting under the weight of this new dynamic, while the house itself seems to respond to the tension bubbling beneath the surface. The film gently amplifies the sense that something ancient and inexplicable is stirring, weaving a mood that is simultaneously intimate and foreboding.
Through a palette of dimly lit interiors, lingering camera work, and a soundtrack that hovers just at the edge of the audible, the story creates an atmosphere that feels like a whisper you can’t quite catch—an invitation to watch with every sense alert. The tension builds not through overt action but through the slow, relentless creep of the supernatural into the family’s daily rhythm. It is a tale that thrives on the fear of the unseen, reminding viewers that some mysteries are best faced with eyes wide open.
What Happens in The Kiss?
The complete story of The Kiss, from the first scene to the last, in 662 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 6 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
In 1963, in the Belgian Congo, sisters Hilary Dunbar and Felice Dunbar are torn apart when Felice is sent away on a train with her aunt, who bears a cursed totem talisman shaped like a serpent. As they travel toward Europe, the aunt—driven by the talisman’s pull—attacks Felice, kissing her with blood spilling from her mouth. The train’s conductor discovers the aunt’s deformed corpse, and Felice exits the train with the talisman clutched tightly in her hands, beginning a fate that will shadow her bloodline for years to come.
Twenty-five years later, in Albany, New York, Hilary lives with her architect husband Jack Halloran and their teenage daughter Amy Halloran. Their suburban life is upended when Felice, now a world-traveling model, phones Hilary to arrange a family reunion, only to be met with firm resistance. Hilary refuses to see her sister, and urges her husband to let her run an errand, passing a gun shop along the way. In a shocking moment, Hilary is killed in a gruesome car accident, the incident casting a veil of mystery over Felice’s sudden arrival and Felice’s stated wish to reconnect with the family.
Five months later, Felice returns to Albany and resumes her life as a model for a vitamin company that has relocated from South Africa. The family’s kindly neighbor, Brenda, a nurse, finds Felice unsettling and is wary of her, especially given Felice’s uncanny aura and the allergies Brenda experiences around cats. Felice’s presence stirs tension, especially as Amy and her friend Heather spend time together and head to the local mall. On an escalator, Heather drops her lipstick and temporarily stops to pick it up; her necklace becomes caught in the grate, and Amy tries to help, but Heather is badly mangled—though she survives the accident.
Amy uncovers Felice’s talisman among her belongings, along with a collection of artifacts, including Heather’s bloodstained sunglasses. The revelation heightens Amy’s suspicion, while Felice begins to make romantic advances toward Jack, further straining the already fragile family ties. One night, Jack goes downstairs after hearing a noise and is attacked by a wild cat that escapes through the kitchen window; Amy finds solace in her relationship with Terry, who becomes entangled in the escalating danger surrounding Felice. After confronting Felice at her hotel, Terry is knocked to the side by the cat-like force that stalks Felice, and his death is later staged to look like a suicide.
Desperate for answers, Amy seeks counsel from a local priest, who shares what her mother had told him about Felice and the family’s past. The priest, Father Joe, attempts to intervene, but Felice intervenes with lethal force—causing the priest to be killed by spontaneous combustion inside an elevator. Jack, meanwhile, is summoned back home when Brenda reveals she had a sample of Felice’s blood analyzed and that it resembles the blood of a corpse.
Jack ultimately deserts his plane ride to return home, where he finds Amy near death and Felice looming over him. Felice reveals that Amy is her bloodline and that, in order to survive, Felice must pass the curse to Amy and live on through her blood. Felice seduces Jack, while Amy escapes with Brenda. The two women are forced to confront Felice’s monstrous lineage as they attempt to flee. A wild cat—the terrifying physical manifestation of Felice’s curse—attacks them, but Brenda kills the animal, and Felice closes in on Amy, attempting to kiss her in a bid to transfer the parasite.
A fierce struggle ensues between Jack, Felice, and Amy in the pool. Amy uses electric gardening shears to defend herself, and the struggle continues as Felice’s parasite body begins to wither. The parasitic force escapes the water and makes a last attempt to seize Amy, but an explosion triggered by a propane tank destroys it. In the end, Felice’s body sinks to the bottom of the pool as the family embraces, having survived but forever marked by the curse that has traveled through generations.
The Kiss Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
14 key events in the order they happen, from “Sisters separated in the Congo; Felice departs with the talisman” to “Parasite defeated; Felice sinks”. 14 events name a place, across 11 locations.
- 1
Sisters separated in the Congo; Felice departs with the talisman
In 1963, sisters Hilary and Felice Dunbar are separated during a journey in the Belgian Congo. Felice is sent away on a train with her aunt, who bears a cursed serpent-shaped talisman. During the voyage, the talisman seems to awaken the aunt's violence, and she kisses Felice as blood spills from her mouth. The train's conductor later discovers the aunt's deformed corpse, and Felice continues on with the talisman.
When:1963 Where:Belgian Congo
- 2
Aunt's death reveals the talisman’s hold
Hours after the attack, the train's conductor discovers the aunt's lifeless, deformed body on the train. Felice has survived the encounter and continues onward with the talisman in hand. The talisman's presence hints at a bigger supernatural burden that will haunt Felice for years.
When:1963 Where:On a train to Europe
- 3
Twenty-five years later: Felice's call disrupts Albany life
Twenty-five years pass, and in Albany, New York, Hilary Dunbar lives with her architect husband Jack and their daughter Amy. Hilary receives an unexpected phone call from her estranged sister Felice, now a globe-trotting model. The sisters briefly reconnect over the phone, but Hilary refuses to meet Felice, unsettling the quiet suburban life.
When:circa 1988 Where:Albany, New York
- 4
Hilary's fatal car accident
Hilary's hesitation to meet Felice abruptly ends when she leaves for an errand and is killed in a gruesome freak car accident. She lingers near a gun shop, contemplating pistols in the storefront window, before the tragedy strikes. The sudden loss shatters the family’s stability and foreshadows Felice's return.
When:circa 1988 Where:Albany, New York
- 5
Felice arrives in Albany and stays with the Hallorans
Five months after Hilary's death, Felice arrives in Albany and begins staying with Jack and Amy. Jack invites her into the home, and Amy grows wary of the enigmatic visitor who seems determined to insinuate herself into the family. Brenda, the nurse neighbor, also finds Felice’s presence unsettling.
When:circa 1989 Where:Albany, New York
- 6
Mall encounter: Heather’s escalator accident
Amy and her friend Heather go shopping at the local mall. On the escalator, Heather's lipstick slips as she retrieves it, and her necklace becomes caught in the grate. Amy tries to help but cannot free her in time, and Heather is badly mangled by the escalator, though she survives.
When:circa 1989 Where:Local mall, Albany
- 7
Amy uncovers Felice’s talisman and artifacts
Amy discovers Felice's talisman among her belongings, along with other artifacts including Heather's bloodied sunglasses. Suspicion grows that Felice harbors something sinister, especially as Felice makes romantic advances toward Jack. Tensions rise as Amy wrestles with fear and doubt about her sister's intentions.
When:circa 1989 Where:Amy's home
- 8
Wild cat attacks and Terry’s confrontation with Felice
That night, Jack is attacked by a wild cat that escapes through the kitchen window. Amy finds solace in her friend Terry, who becomes suspicious of Felice. Terry confronts Felice at her hotel after witnessing her ritualistic behavior, and he is subsequently killed in a car related incident following the confrontation.
When:circa 1989 Where:Albany area
- 9
Priest confronts Felice; spontaneous combustion
Amy seeks guidance from a local priest, who reveals troubling family histories connected to Felice. Felice interrupts the meeting; the priest flees and later attempts to meet Jack at his office, but is killed by spontaneous combustion caused by Felice’s powers inside an elevator.
When:circa 1989 Where:Office building elevator
- 10
Brenda uncovers Felice’s blood in the lab
Brenda informs Jack that she had Felice's blood analyzed and that it resembles that of a corpse. Jack immediately returns from a business trip to confront the situation and protect his family. The unsettling discovery deepens the sense that Felice's curse is very real.
When:circa 1989 Where:Home and airport
Show the other 4 events of The Kiss Hide the last 4 events
- 11
Felice reveals Amy is the bloodline; Jack targeted
Felice confronts Jack, explaining that Amy is her bloodline and that the curse must be passed on to Amy to survive. She attempts to secure Amy by seducing Jack, while Amy escapes with Brenda. The revelation reframes the danger from Felice to Amy herself.
When:circa 1989 Where:House in Albany
- 12
Backyard pursuit and the therianthropic cat
Felice’s pursuit continues as Amy and Brenda attempt to flee through the yard. A wild cat—Felice's therianthropic manifestation—attacks, but Brenda manages to kill the creature. Felice presses her attack on Amy, forcing a desperate confrontation.
When:circa 1989 Where:Backyard
- 13
Climax in the pool: Amy fights back
The struggle leads to a dangerous clash by the swimming pool. Amy manages to impale Felice with electric gardening shears, and the three struggle amid the water. The cursed parasite fights to possess Amy as the fight intensifies.
When:circa 1989 Where:Backyard pool
- 14
Parasite defeated; Felice sinks
Felice’s parasitic embodiment swims toward Amy in a final bid for control, but is killed in an explosion triggered by a propane tank. Felice's body sinks to the bottom of the pool as Amy, Jack, and Brenda embrace, finally free of the curse's immediate threat.
When:circa 1989 Where:Backyard pool
Who Are the Main Characters in The Kiss?
7 characters, among them Felice Dunbar (Joanna Pacula), Hilary Dunbar (Pamela Collyer) and Amy Halloran (Meredith Salenger): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- FD
Felice Dunbar (Joanna Pacula)
Played by Joanna Pacula
Felice is the enigmatic sister whose globe-trotting life masks a deadly lineage. She wields the cursed talisman and pursues Amy to pass the curse on to the next generation. Her seductive demeanor and ritual acts propel the horror, revealing the dark costs of inherited power.
- 🔮 Supernatural
- 🗺️ Worldly
- 💋 Seductive
- HD
Hilary Dunbar (Pamela Collyer)
Played by Pamela Collyer
Hilary is the stable, protective mother in Albany who tries to shield her family from Felice's resurfacing. Her life is upended when Felice reappears and the curse threatens Amy. Her cautious, loving stance contrasts with Felice's dangerous recklessness.
- 🏠 Suburban life
- 💔 Family tension
- 🔎 Mystery
- AH
Amy Halloran (Meredith Salenger)
Played by Meredith Salenger
Amy is the teenage daughter caught between a hidden family past and a rising supernatural threat. She discovers the talisman and races to outmaneuver Felice to protect herself and Brenda. The climax pits her resilience against a parasite that will stop at nothing to pass into her blood.
- 🧒 Teen
- 🧬 Bloodline
- 🔮 Supernatural
- JH
Jack Halloran (Nicholas Kilbertus)
Played by Nicholas Kilbertus
Jack is the architect husband who must face the danger Felice brings into his home. He balances loyalty to his family with the imperative to survive as the curse destabilizes their world. His choices fuel the final confrontation with the parasite.
- 🏠 Family
- 💼 Professional
- 🛡️ Protector
- B
Brenda
Played by Mimi Kuzyk
Brenda is the nurse neighbor who proves practical and protective, helping Amy escape Felice's reach. She uncovers disturbing clues, including a blood sample linked to Felice, and acts as a steadfast ally in the fight for survival.
- 🧑⚕️ Nurse
- 🛡️ Ally
- 🧠 Investigator
- AI
Aunt Irene (Céline Lomez)
Played by Céline Lomez
Aunt Irene accompanies Felice on the Congo journey and is dragged into the talisman’s influence, attacking Felice as blood is spilled. Her death marks the talisman’s reach across generations.
- 🧭 Family
- 🗡️ Tragedy
- 🔮 Supernatural
-
Terry (Shawn Levy)
Played by Shawn Levy
Terry is Amy's love interest who confronts Felice and becomes entangled in the dangerous ritual. He pays the price for seeking the truth, dying in a fatal accident that appears to be a suicide orchestrated by Felice's power.
- 💔 Love
- 🕵️ Investigator
- ⚔️ Tragedy
Where and When Is The Kiss Set?
The Kiss is set in Belgian Congo, Albany and New York (1963; 1988). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1963; 1988
1963 marks the origin of the curse during the Congo journey. The narrative then jumps to 1988, placing Amy at the center of the conflict in Albany. The two timelines reveal how a single talisman spans generations.
Where
Belgian Congo, Albany, New York
The film opens in 1963 on a train in the Belgian Congo, where a cursed talisman begins the tragedy. Twenty-five years later, Hilary and her family live a quiet suburban life in Albany, New York. The two settings contrast African upheaval with American domesticity, framing a story about inherited danger crossing continents.
- 🗺️ Congo setting
- 🏡 Albany suburb
- 🌍 Cross-continental journey
- 🪄 Supernatural backdrop
What Are the Themes of The Kiss?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Bloodline, Supernatural and Survival.
-
01
Bloodline
Generational inheritance drives the story, turning bloodlines into a conduit for danger. Felice embodies a cursed lineage that seeks to pass its burden to Amy. The talisman and ritual awaken a parasitic force that feeds on family bonds. The film uses this lineage to explore how past sins shape present choices and threaten loved ones.
-
02
Supernatural
The central threat is a supernatural parasite that can possess or corrupt those it touches. Rituals, artifacts, and inexplicable events push characters toward doubt and fear. The supernatural presence makes home an unsafe space and family ties a potential weapon. The film investigates belief versus skepticism in the face of uncanny phenomena.
-
03
Survival
Amy's struggle to escape Felice and the curse drives the suspense. She uncovers disturbing clues about her family's past and the talisman's reach. The pursuit culminates in a tense confrontation where ingenuity and courage decide who survives.
What Kind of Film Is The Kiss?
Dark in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A dark and intense supernatural horror that steadily builds a sinister atmosphere as an ancient family curse manifests through psychological manipulation and shocking violence, leaving characters forever marked.
- sinister
- supernatural
- tense
- oppressive
- haunting
- suspenseful
- family curse
- supernatural horror
- inherited evil
- psychological manipulation
Content notes: murder, forced suicide, gruesome accident, blood splatter, stabbing, child endangerment.
Quiz
How well do you remember The Kiss? Test yourself on the story.
