Cat Person

Watched this in a mystery screening tonight and love the idea of not knowing what to expect so came here with a clean slate.

Really enjoyed this film. Its really different and its main theme is based around the famous quote "men are afraid women will laugh at them and women are afraid that men will kill them".

It goes into some depth in its description of this quote and realises this in the 2 main characters and especially with many of the rambling imaginations of 20 year old Margot. It covers issues with consent and communication in this day and age, and how so many things can be misconstrued when there is limited information using non verbal methods of communication.

Its uncomfortable and dark at times, I actually cringed quite a few times, but also has some humour and light moments and explores the different perceptions society can have in some depth that I haven't seen any other film do in the same way.

I like different and this certainly is that.

I saw this as part of an Odeon Screen unseen showing so was completely and literally in the dark about what I was going to see. Well I was pleasantly surprised. It's a tale about 20 year old Margot and her bouncing around the excitement and misunderstandings of relationships and how communication, expectation and reality can all blow things up.

There were times whenn I expected the story to go down a sinister route but then was I being manipulated by the opening quote?

Worth your time. This is just a privileged view into a 20 year Old's life which reverberated with me on many levels. If you approach this as just that then you won't be disappointed.

Cat Person, the 2023 film adaptation of Kristen Roupenian's viral New Yorker short story, claws its way onto the screen with a promising premise: exploring the awkward, unsettling, and sometimes dangerous landscape of modern dating. Unfortunately, despite stellar performances and flashes of brilliance, the film ultimately stumbles, failing to recapture the potent ambiguity and unsettling dread that resonated with so many readers.

Margot, a college student, finds herself drawn to the enigmatic Robert, an older man who works at the local movie theatre. Their initial interactions via text are playful and flirty, but when they finally meet in person, the sparks don't quite fly. A nagging unease settles in, hinting at something darker beneath Robert's charming facade.

Director Susanna Fogel expertly navigates the film's early scenes, capturing the awkward tension and anxieties that plague young love. Emilia Jones delivers a nuanced performance as Margot, portraying her vulnerability and growing unease with authenticity. Nicholas Braun, however, struggles to fully inhabit the enigmatic Robert, leaving the character feeling somewhat opaque and underdeveloped.

The visual storytelling in the movie is its strongest point. Cinematographer Manuel Billeter paints a stark portrait of Margot's emotional world, using tight close-ups and muted colour palettes to emphasise her growing isolation and fear. The score, a blend of unsettling electronic beats and melancholic piano melodies, further amplifies the film's unsettling mood.

However, as the film progresses past the point at which the original story ends, the plot begins to unravel. The narrative takes a jarring turn, veering away from the ambiguity and suspense that characterised the short story and instead opting for a more conventional, even melodramatic, thriller plot. This shift in tone feels jarring and ultimately undermines the film's emotional core.

Cat Person is a film with undeniable potential. It boasts strong performances, particularly from Jones, and a visually striking aesthetic. However, those who have read the original story may be disappointed with its failure to capture the essence of the original and its jarring tonal shift, ultimately leaving it feeling like a missed opportunity.

While not a complete failure, Cat Person is best suited for fans of the original short story or those seeking a darkly comedic thriller. For those looking for a more faithful adaptation or a deeply unsettling exploration of modern dating, this film may not be the cat's meow.

Cat Person is a very sharply observed, darkly funny, and insightful dissection of modern dating and the complications and fears it can lead to for women.

The story is told from the perspective of college student Margot, as she embarks on a relationship with the seemingly decent Robert. For the most part the story isn't overly original, but it's more the perspective and creativity in telling the story that stands out, really allowing you to get into the mind of the character.

It achieves this through a solid script that balances dark comedy with serious drama and social commentary, as well as engaging lead performances from Emilia Jones and Nicholas Braun.

My only real complaint is that the pacing is far too slow throughout the film. It easily could have been twenty minutes shorter and had even more impact as a result.

Despite this I thought this film was great. Good concept with brilliant execution and a couple of solid lead performances to boot.

Cat Person. I don't understand the poor reviews for this film. I watched it on the recommendation of Mark Kermode (potentially pretentious film critic) who loved it and suggested his side kick Simon (Everyman) Mayo would love it too. So why the poor scores on rotten tomatoes and IMDB? I was intrigued. And after watching the film, Kermode was spot on. Margot, who works at her local cinema meets Robert, a regular cinema-goer at her place of work. She thinks he's a little strange. He's a little awkward but likes her and asks for her number. She acquiesces. There then follows a series of text message exchanges. They form a 'relationship' without having properly met. Margot gets images of how it's going to play out when they finally meet. And most are not good ones. Robert thinks that this might be the start of something special. And they eventually meet and it doesn't go according to plan. But how much of this is real and how much is imagined from their text history? No spoilers here but the interpretation of this film may not be as clear cut as either Margot or Robert might think. It is narratively simple yet its interpretation is, for me at least, purposefully ambiguous. And its all the better for it. An intriguing 8 out of ten.