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Cat's Eye
1985 94 min Netherlands, United States of America PG-13 16+
★6.8
Horror, Thriller
Director: Lewis Teague
🎭 Based on
«Quitters, Inc.»
byStephen King
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
Three short stories linked by a stray cat that roams from one tale to the next, in this creepy triptych that begins as Dick tries to quit smoking by any means necessary. Next, we meet Johnny, an adulterous man who's forced by his lover's husband onto a building's hazardous ledge. Finally, Amanda is threatened by an evil gnome who throws suspicion on the family cat.
Budget:
$7M
US Gross:
$13.09M
Worldwide:
$13.1M
Starring
Drew Barrymore
Actor
James Woods
Actor
Alan King
Actor
Awards
2 nominations total
Key opinion
Cat's Eye is generally regarded as a solid, atmospheric 1980s anthology that successfully leverages the Stephen King brand to provide engaging, albeit uneven, genre thrills. While reactions to the individual segments vary, the film is widely praised for its distinct visual style and the clever conceit of using a stray cat as a narrative thread.
| Production | The 1980s urban production design and cinematography create a piquant, nostalgic atmosphere that enhances the film's overall aesthetic appeal. | |
| Acting | James Woods delivers a standout performance in the opening segment that effectively elevates the material despite some criticisms of the adaptation's fidelity. | |
| Originality | The cat acts as an effective, unifying narrative device that connects disparate tales while providing a unique, watchful perspective on human behavior. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the three segments are mixed; while many find the "Quit Smoking" and "The Ledge" segments gripping and tense, others argue the third, original story feels comparatively weak, generic, or cartoonish. | |
| Theme | The film's tone is inconsistent, oscillating between dark thriller, black comedy, and family-oriented horror, which leaves some viewers satisfied by the variety and others feeling the tonal shifts are jarring. |