The Kiss
After the death of her mother, a teenage girl is faced with bizarre supernatural occurrences when her mother's estranged sister arrives and begins to infiltrate her and her father's lives.
Why it matters
A late-’80s supernatural thriller that blends family trauma with creeping occult dread, The Kiss offers a slow-burning chill rooted in personal loss.
- Early work from director Penelope Spheeris, known for her sharp ear in subcultures, here turning to atmospheric horror with a psychological edge.
- Features a quietly unsettling performance by Barbara Crampton, anchoring the film’s eerie descent into possession and inherited evil.
- Practical effects and subtle supernatural touches build tension without resorting to cheap scares or overt gore.
- For fans of occult family dramas like The Brood or The Sentinel, this one’s an underrated gem that explores grief as a portal to darker forces.
Director
Cast
Horror DNA
Gore
0
Slow Burn
50
Psychological
71
Supernatural
60
Creature
0
Disturbing
50
Fun Factor
17
Cerebral
14
Survival
0
Possession
