Next of Kin (1984)

Trapped within the confines of his childhood home, twenty-three-year-old Peter Foster finds himself suffocating amidst the ceaseless bickering of his parents. Once a source of amusement, their unending disputes have become a tiresome monotony, pushing Peter to retreat into a world of fantasy, a haven where he can escape the discord that surrounds him. To address the family's deteriorating dynamics, they decide to seek help through family counseling. The unique therapeutic approach involves videotaping the sessions, allowing each family member to view themselves from an objective stance. However, Peter, yearning for more than just replayed arguments, convinces the counselor to permit him a week away from home. His father, eager to restore their family's harmony, willingly finances Peter's retreat. As part of his therapy, Peter is assigned to maintain a diary, recording the events and insights of his sojourn. But Peter has other plans. He wants to immerse himself further into his fantasy world. In his search for a different perspective, Peter discovers an immigrant family in Toronto, the Deryans - Sonya and George, and their young adult daughter Azah. The Deryans, grappling with their issues, are dealing with a rift between George and Azah, which is threatening their familial bonds. Intriguingly, the Deryans had given up their only son, Bedros, for adoption due to economic constraints upon their arrival in Canada. Seizing this opportunity, Peter cunningly introduces himself to the Deryans as Bedros, their long-lost son. Welcoming him with open arms, Peter finds himself in the middle of another family's dynamic, attempting to mend the strained relationship between George and his daughter Azah. As he navigates through this new family's challenges, he hopes to gain a fresh perspective on his own family's issues, using his diary as a tool to evaluate and understand the complexities of familial relationships.

Next of Kin is a comedy movie featuring Patrick Tierney.

Next of Kin is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on Metrograph.