As Margaret Atwood said, men are afraid women will laugh at them, but women are afraid men will kill them. This sets the scene for Cat Person, an adaption from Kristen Roupenian’s 2017 New Yorker short story “Cat Person”, which went viral for its of-the-moment topicality about sexual politics and gender dynamics. The film is a probing examination of modern dating, told through the eyes of Margot (played by Emilia Jones), a college student deeply immersed in Etruscan history, who encounters Robert (Nicholas Braun) at the cinema concession stand where she works part-time, delving into the existential predicament that often accompanies the decision to date. Despite Robert’s peculiarities and social awkwardness, Margot reluctantly embarks on a texting relationship after discovering his love for felines, defying the advice of her skeptical friend Taylor (Geraldine Viswanathan).
The story begins to unfold as a virtual dance of he-texted, she-texted, exposing the dating labyrinth through male and female perspectives. As Margot navigates the uncertainty of Robert’s intentions, a lingering paranoia about his true identity begins to haunt her. Adapted by Michelle Ashford from Kristen Roupenian’s New Yorker short story and helmed by director Susanna Fogel, Cat Person takes on the guise of a dark comedy of manners, with moments of uneasy laughter punctuating the storyline, especially during the discomforting scene of their intimate encounter.
Emilia Jones and Nicholas Braun seamlessly converge as Margot and Robert, portraying characters grappling to find common ground. Emilia Jones delivers a captivating performance as Margot, bringing to life the character’s vulnerability, confusion, and emotional turmoil. Her portrayal of Margot is nuanced and layered, and she does an excellent job of conveying the character’s innermost thoughts and feelings. Jones’ acting is so convincing that it’s easy to forget that she’s playing a character and not living the experience herself.
The chemistry between Jones and Nicholas Braun, who plays Robert, is undeniable. Their interactions are awkward, cringe-worthy, and at times, downright uncomfortable, but they are also incredibly authentic. Braun’s portrayal of Robert is equally impressive, and he brings a sense of depth and complexity to the character that is both intriguing and unsettling.
While Cat Person revels in its mystique and ambiguity, it excels, weaving snidely funny dialogue and unexpected humor into its fabric. Cat Person is a must-see film that is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever experienced the ups and downs of modern dating. The film is a powerful exploration of the complexities of human relationships.
Cat Person is in cinemas from November 23.
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neillfrazer
