The Unseen Horrors Unleashed: The Captivating Journey of a Cat Person

Summary

Cat Person, based on a short story by Kristen Roupenian, challenges the notion of faithful adaptation by expanding and exaggerating the source material.

Roupenian, the author, delighted in the adaptation being labeled as a thriller, as she had always envisioned it as a component of a horror anthology.

The Cat Person trailer presents instances that reside ambiguously between disturbing and perilous, while Emilia Jones skillfully embodies Margot's inner musings with her portrayal.

Cat Person, the film adaptation of Kristen Roupenian's renowned short story, has successfully debuted at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, paving its way to theaters. Originally published in The New Yorker magazine in 2017, Roupenian's gripping portrayal of an early relationship between college student Margot and an older man named Robert has captivated audiences. Emilia Jones (known for her role in CODA) portrays Margot in the film, while Nicholas Braun (from Succession) takes on the character of Robert.

Despite the inherent challenges in adapting Roupenian's written work into a visual medium, Cat Person has managed to surprise those familiar with the original short story. Director Susanna Fogel, acclaimed for her work on films like The Spy Who Dumped Me and A Small Light, initially had her own reservations about the process. However, she ultimately found comfort in a particular aspect of the script. Discover her thoughts below.

How Cat Person Honors Its Source Material By Expanding It

Susanna Fogel: When I first encountered the story, I initially couldn't envision how it could be adapted due to its deeply introspective nature. It seemed like the adaptation would likely be small-scale and subdued. However, considering the overwhelming response the story evoked, I felt it deserved a more impactful approach. Yet, I was uncertain about bridging the gap between these two seemingly dichotomous elements. Then, I came across Michelle's script, which ingeniously delves into Margot's psyche, interweaving elements of different genres to create a suspenseful and engrossing narrative. This is precisely how one effectively portrays the terrifying and bewildering experience of womanhood. By taking Margot's authentic and personal account and amplifying it into something grandiose, we truly showcase its significance.

When it comes to staying true to the source material of a project, the idea is often used to discuss which elements were directly translated and which were not. In the case of Cat Person, however, Michelle Ashford's screenplay remained loyal to Kristen Roupenian's original story by magnifying and expanding upon the author's work. While Roupenian's tale may not have had the rapid pace of a thriller, she expressed her thoughts on the film's adaptation into a thrilling genre during the Cat Person premiere:

Kristen Roupenian expressed her delight in the fact that the filmmakers recognized the horror elements in her story, Cat Person. She had always envisioned it as part of a horror collection, and it served as the realistic climax among her other genre series. When the filmmakers acknowledged this, Roupenian felt understood. She believes that the story has the essence of horror.

The trailer for Cat Person supports this notion, as it showcases moments and revelations that reside in the ambiguous space between unusual and unsafe. The film effectively portrays Margot's thought process, a crucial aspect of the original short story, with Emilia Jones skillfully portraying conflicting choices. With Roupenian's approval, it will be intriguing to witness how Fogel, Ashford, and the rest of the team have brought Cat Person to life.