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Cat People
1982 118 min United States of America R 16+
★6.3
Fantasy, Horror
Director: Paul Schrader
🎭 Based on
«Cat People»
Trailers
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EN
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Description
After years of separation, Irena Gallier and her minister brother, Paul, reunite in New Orleans. When zoologists capture a wild panther, Irena is drawn to the cat – and zoo curator Oliver to her. Soon, Paul will have to reveal the family secret: that when sexually aroused, they revert into predatory jungle cats.
Budget:
$12.5M
US Gross:
$7M
Worldwide:
$21M
Starring
Nastassja Kinski
Actor
Malcolm McDowell
Actor
John Heard
Actor
Awards
Golden Globe 1983
— Best Original Song
Saturn Awards 1983
— Best Actress
Golden Globe 1983
— Best Original Score
Key opinion
Paul Schrader’s 1982 remake of 'Cat People' is a polarizing stylistic experiment that prioritizes atmosphere and erotic mysticism over traditional horror conventions. While critics and viewers frequently clash over the film's screenplay and explicit sexual focus, there is a strong consensus regarding the high quality of its visual presentation and iconic soundtrack.
| Score | Giorgio Moroder’s atmospheric, synth-driven score is a defining and high-quality element of the film’s unique identity. | |
| Cinematography | The cinematography and production design masterfully capture a moody, surreal, and evocative Southern Gothic atmosphere in New Orleans. | |
| Acting | Performances from Nastassja Kinski and Malcolm McDowell are praised for their charismatic, primal, and elegant embodiment of feline qualities. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the screenplay are divided: some admire its focus on metaphorical, idea-driven exploration of sexual awakening, while others condemn the plot as an absurd or crude excuse for incestuous melodrama. | |
| Pacing | The film's pacing and narrative structure are contentious, with some finding the slow-burn, hypnotic style compelling, while others perceive it as disjointed and lacking necessary suspense. |