Do you enjoy a good old-fashioned horror story? If so, you’ll be pleased to hear that Cat’s Eye doesn’t just tell one horror story, but three, all unique and written by the legendary horror icon Stephen King. Each story has one thing in common: the story is told from the perspective of a stray cat who finds himself among people in either tricky or haunting situations.
The first story begins with Dick (James Woods), a man passionate about quitting smoking for the sake of his family. Dick visits a clinic that claims they can help him; however, the methods to cure him go to an unexpected extreme. Next, viewers are introduced to Johnny, a man who is having an affair with a married woman and is pushed into a dangerous bet where he must walk around a ledge outside a tall building. Lastly, we have Amanda (Drew Barrymore) continually frightened by an evil gnome that enters her bedroom at night, acting cruelly and creating havoc. Amanda soon finds a stray cat that she hopes will protect her from the evil creature lurking in her room.
Cat’s Eye is filled with fun, creativity, and randomness. Out of the three stories presented here, I enjoyed the first and third the most. The second story lacked excitement and carried an evident and predictable ending. James Woods and a young Drew Barrymore are fantastic here, especially regarding their line delivery and facial reactions to the chaos around them. The tremendous visuals create a dark, creepy atmosphere and even sneak into the fantasy genre. The soundtrack is welcomed and provides both joyous and scary moments. Plus, fans of Stephen King will also enjoy the multiple easter eggs and references throughout the three stories.
For those who appreciate the restoration of old films, you’ll be most impressed with the results of Cat’s Eye, released on 4K. Not only is the newest 4K transfer done using the original 35 mm negative, but there’s also an impressive colour grading and restoration process that’s been completed with one hundred and fifty hours spent manually cleaning and carefully removing dirt and scratches. This is the best Cat’s Eye has ever looked, and as I watched it for the first time, I was most certainly impressed by the quality and visuals of such an older film.
Overall, those who love short stories full of horror and all things Stephen King will undoubtedly have a great time with this feature. The three stories are fun and creative, with a strange mixture of unsettling horror and comedy. I enjoyed the first and third stories the most, as the second story had high predictability. How the stories impact and resonate is going to differ among viewers. Still, I can’t deny that James Woods and a young Drew Barrymore shine wonderfully here in a world of chaos and horror.
7.1/10
13th January 2022
Written by Peter Walkden
WALKDEN ENTERTAINMENT
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