Next of Kin
Logline: Two sisters are brought together under unfortunate circumstances; their estranged father is dead, and they now must execute his will.
Genre: Dramedy
Comps: Succession, Fleabag, Shiva Baby
Plot Summary: Sisters Cass and Mel Macpherson have never gotten along, and as they’ve gotten older they’ve only grown further apart. Their flailing sisterhood in part stems from their nonexistent relationship with their father. When he dies, they are confronted with the news that Cass, the eldest, was given the title of executor of his will. Now, they are staying in his home, scouring through tedious legal documents, and preparing for his wake all the while trying to repair their own relationship.
Statement of Purpose: Why is it, that sometimes the most complicated relationships we have are with our own family? It seems unfair. Many films and television shows have explored complex family dynamics through the lenses of topics like addiction, war, infidelity, etc. In my senior thesis, I’ll be exploring the specific dynamic between two sisters, who both have a very different idea of their family and their place within it. I want to emphasize that just because two people come from the same upbringing doesn’t mean they are going to turn out the same.