Netflix’s ‘Grudge’ (originally titled Kin) is a promising Turkish crime drama that is gritty and engaging with its vengeance-driven plot.
Directed by Turkan Derya, the film is evenly paced as its compelling plot slowly reveals its layers with dramatic twists, and of course, with good characterization for the leading man.
Plot: Ahead of a promotion, a police chief becomes embroiled in a fatal incident and uncovers a grudge-fueled plot that threatens his associates.
The grudge-fueled storyline begins with the introduction of the lead character Istanbul’s Chief Inspector Harun Celiktan (Yilmaz Erdogan) who is awarded the police officer of the year. Meanwhile, Harun’s senior and friend Cevat (Ahmet Mumtaz Taylan) even informs him that he would soon be promoted to Chief Superintendent and hence must stay out of any trouble.
Later that night, Harun joined his team for dinner to celebrate the achievement. Just as it seems to be one of the joyful days of his life and as he leaves for home to be with his family, in a remote location, the taxi driver attacks Harun and in self-defense, he commits a murder. When he decides not to report the incident and instead tries to erase any evidence of his involvement, things are bound to go downhill.
The next morning, the police come to know about the murder of the taxi driver when people started noticing the dead body hanging up on a crane in the middle of the city. As expected, Harun and his team begin an investigation but there is more to the story as not only Harun has to find the crane killer but also cover his tracks.
‘Grudge’ (Kin) is a good watch, for the most part, particularly the first half, as it is tightly written, but could have been better with a little more imaginative ending. Also, some of the key characters in the second half seem to be too sketchy, even though we get to know their backstory.
Also, worth mentioning is Yilmaz Erdogan’s brilliant acting as Harun – a composed and respected police officer with his no-nonsense look. He is well-supported by others, including a young and promising Cem Yegit Uzumoglu as Tuncay, Ahmet Mumtaz Taylan as Cevat, and in a small yet key part of the story Duygu Sarisin as Gul.
Nevertheless, the story certainly prompts us to think more about crimes we commit, the decisions we make (as someone with influence) that affect others, and the need to defend the innocents, or be the helping hand in delivering justice to end the cycle of grudges.
Watch the Trailer: Grudge/Kin
Title: Grudge / Kin (Turkish)
Cast: Yılmaz Erdogan, Ahmet Mumtaz Taylan, Cem Yigit Uzumoglu, Ruzgar Aksoy, Duygu Sarısın, Yosi Mizrahi, Elif Gizem Aykul, Enes Kulahcı.
Directed by Turkan Derya
Writer: Yilmaz Erdogan
Country: Turkey
Language: Turkish
Release Date: October 8, 2021
Where to watch Grudge (Original Title: Kin) (2021)
