Robert Hood describes this film as
'A ghost thriller in which a young women returns to her mother's property (which has been converted into a nursing home for the aged), and is haunted by a presence within the house. The film explores the nature of blood/power relationships and generates some eeriness as it does so. Stylistically interesting and builds to a bloody climax'.
In their overview of the film, Australian Screen says,
'Next of Kin is a very 'European' Australian horror thriller. Set in a spooky Hammer Horror-type mansion, moodily lit by cinematographer Gary Hansen and set to a score by German electronic music pioneer Klaus Schulze, its tone is reminiscent of films from the same era made by Italian horror fantasists such as Dario Argento (see Tenebrae, 1982) and Lucio Fulci (see The Beyond, 1981). Although set in that vast physical and psychological space beyond city limits called the Outback [...], its menace comes not from what might be 'out there' but from what's lurking in the walls and memories of an old dark house.'
Sources:
Australian Screen, Next of Kin (http://aso.gov.au/titles/features/next-of-kin/). (Sighted: 6/7/2012)
Hood, Robert. 'Killer Koalas: Australian (and New Zealand) Horror Films'. Tabula Rasa (http://www.tabula-rasa.info/AusHorror/OzHorrorFilms2.html). (Sighted: 6/7/2012)
