The Cinematic Adaption of “Cat Person”: From #MeToo Inspiration to Psychological Thriller

In December 2017, the previously unknown author Kristen Roupenian sparked hype in the New Yorker magazine with her short story “Cat Person.” She talked about the encounter between a 20-year-old student and a man 15 years her senior, which turned into a nightmare. The story went viral. She had struck a chord with the #MeToo movement.

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The question “Involuntary sex or not?” sparked heated debates, as did the question of guilt and the search for the cause of mutual misunderstandings in gender dynamics. Screenwriter Michelle Ashford and director Susanna Fogel recognized the cinematic potential of the fictional material, which was often read autobiographically. First they planned a small, intimate film. Then they added elements of psychological thriller, romantic comedy and relationship drama.

Everything starts harmlessly. Archeology student Margot (Emilia Jones) works at the box office of a small art house cinema. After an awkward attempt at flirting with regular guest Robert (Nicholaus Braun), they exchange phone numbers. Soon they’re chatting – text messages pop up on the screen.

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After the rather unsuccessful first date, they meet again. The young woman notices: Robert is not Prince Charming and, on top of that, his kisses are terrible. Nevertheless, she follows him into the apartment, a big mistake. His erotic approaches are clumsy and copied from cheap porn. Nevertheless, she doesn’t say no, but rather endures the sexual nonsense.

The embarrassing, revealing and at the same time hilarious sex scene is relatable for women. The protagonist’s insecurity, reluctance and quiet unease are unmistakable. You can sense what’s going on in Margot’s head and how she regrets her inconsistency. She ends the affair, to which the man who is offended by his vanity responds with threats.

From a female perspective, “Cat Person” tells of the toxic relationship structure between men and women, of ridiculous rituals of conquest and subjugation, of diametrically opposed emotional concepts. It’s the smaller aggressions that poison the relationship like needle pricks.

Instead of leaving it with loose ends like in Roupenian’s story, director Fogel goes one better. At the beginning she sticks to the original with comedic nuances, but we soon let us take part in Margot’s inner monologues and her fantasies about the stranger. She also gives room for warning conversations with her friend.

This dramatization harms the film. The psychologically exciting, simmering atmosphere of threat with the irrational fear of dating a serial killer mutates into a flat horror shocker complete with unnecessary excesses of violence. The film structure falls apart. A pity.

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“Cat Person”, directed by Susanna Fogel, with Emilia Jones, Nicholas Braun, 118 minutes, FSK 16

2023-11-10 21:12:02
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