Kidder returned to film with a lead role in the independent comedy-drama "Never Met Picasso" (1997), portraying an actress living with her gay adult son (portrayed by Alexis Arquette) who is attempting to sort his life out. Kevin Thomas of the "Los Angeles Times" wrote that "Arquette and Kidder given the chance to come across as quite appealing" in their roles. She next appeared in the slasher film "The Clown at Midnight" (1998), opposite Christopher Plummer, and alongside Lynn Redgrave and James Earl Jones in the comedy "The Annihilation of Fish" (1999), playing the landlady of an interracial couple. Critic Todd McCarthy in "Variety" referred to the film as a "would-be charmer" and "a drear moment in the careers of all concerned."