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A young woman haunted by a family curse struggles to contain her increasingly primal urges. As her desires intensify, she undergoes a disturbing physical transformation, becoming a sleek black leopard. This unsettling change blurs the boundaries between her human identity and a dangerous, animalistic nature, leading to terrifying consequences for herself and those around her.

A young woman haunted by a family curse struggles to contain her increasingly primal urges. As her desires intensify, she undergoes a disturbing physical transformation, becoming a sleek black leopard. This unsettling change blurs the boundaries between her human identity and a dangerous, animalistic nature, leading to terrifying consequences for herself and those around her.

Does Cat People have end credit scenes?

No!

Cat People does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Cat People

Explore the complete cast of Cat People, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Cat People

See how Cat People is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Cat People stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

61

Metascore

5.4

User Score

IMDb

6.2 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

61

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate Cat People Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Cat People with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Cat People (1982) Quiz: Test your knowledge of the mysterious and thrilling elements of the 1982 film Cat People.

What is the name of the main character who reunites with her brother?

Awards & Nominations for Cat People

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Discover all the awards and nominations received by Cat People, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how Cat People and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


40th Golden Globe Awards 1983

Nomination

Best Original Score

Giorgio Moroder
Nomination

Best Original Song

Giorgio Moroder

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Cat People

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Read the complete plot summary of Cat People, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


Irena Gallier, portrayed by Nastassja Kinski, is a young woman raised by adoptive parents who reunites with her estranged older brother, Paul, played by Malcolm McDowell, in the vibrant city of New Orleans. Their first encounter unfolds at the airport, where Paul warmly welcomes Irena and drives her to his apartment, which he shares only with his housekeeper, Female, pronounced Fee-MAL-ee (Ruby Dee). Unbeknownst to Irena, both she and Paul are part of a lineage of ‘cat people,’ individuals who transform into panthers after engaging in sexual relations and must kill to regain their human form.

Irena, innocent and a virgin, is oblivious to her unique inheritance. In stark contrast, Paul has come to terms with this dark secret and has developed a method of luring women as prey. On Irena’s initial evening in New Orleans, Paul makes plans to meet a sex worker (Lynn Lowry) at a seedy hotel. However, the encounter takes an unexpected turn when the woman escapes, leaving Paul stuck in his panther form, confined within the hotel walls. As chaos ensues, Curator Oliver Yates, played by John Heard, along with his team members Alice Perrin (Annette O’Toole) and Joe Creigh (Ed Begley Jr.), is summoned to capture the rogue panther.

With Paul absent, Irena spends her first full day exploring New Orleans. She enjoys a taxi ride through the charming French Quarter and visits the zoo, where she becomes entranced by a black panther, losing track of time as she sketches it long after the zoo closes. Startled by Oliver, who later introduces himself, Irena drops her sketchpad and scurries into the trees but is coaxed down by him. Upon noticing her feverish state, Oliver applies a cool cloth to her forehead, and they decide to grab a bite together, during which Oliver learns of Irena’s job search and offers her a position at the zoo’s gift shop.

Irena’s inaugural day as a zoo employee is both eventful and alarming. As she connects with Alice over lunch, a mysterious woman approaches and refers to Irena as ‘mi hermana’ (my sister). Later, during her shift, the black panther behaves aggressively, leading to a horrifying incident where Joe loses his arm and dies from severe injuries, leaving the panther nowhere to be found when Oliver returns with his firearm.

That night at home, Paul reappears, his demeanor less than brotherly. He claims he was “in jail” during his absence and attempts to seduce Irena, insisting that their unique biology demands they share intimacy. However, Irena finds herself drawn to Oliver and rejects Paul’s advances, fleeing in fear. She manages to attract police attention, leading them to Paul’s basement, where a shocking discovery of chains and human remains points to his disturbing past, marked by mental illness and familial tragedy.

As Irena grapples with her troubled feelings over Paul and her growing affection for Oliver, she experiences inexplicable urges, even finding herself sprinting on all fours after a rabbit one night. Meanwhile, Paul continues his predatory behavior, culminating in yet another murder. In a desperate confrontation, Paul crashes into Irena’s room, once again pushing for intimacy, claiming that their path mirrors that of their deceased parents. Defending herself, Irena stabs Paul with broken glass, triggering his transformation into a panther. Oliver and Alice intervene, and in an act of self-defense, Alice kills the panther, only for Oliver to discover the horrifying truth of its human origin during the autopsy.

The next morning, while Alice jogs and stops for a swim, she feels a sense of foreboding when she hears growls. Stuck in a panic, she jumps into the pool, but her fear escalates when Irena appears, with her disheveled clothes raising alarm. After charming Oliver and revealing her readiness to consummate their relationship, Irena transforms into her panther alter ego yet again, leaving before causing harm. While SWAT teams pursue her, Oliver searches for Irena, only to find her in human form, pleading for release through one final encounter.

In a haunting conclusion, the story culminates as Oliver visits the zoo, confronting the trapped panther that is now Irena, forever confined within her bestial form. He tenderly reaches through the bars to caress the docile creature’s neck, symbolizing a tragic love forever shrouded in darkness and despair.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Cat People

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Cat People. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Cat People (1982) (TV Spot)

Cat People Official Trailer #1 - Ed Begley Jr. Movie (1982) HD

Cat People (1982) - Trailer HD 1080p

Cars Featured in Cat People

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Explore all cars featured in Cat People, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Checker

1974

Taxicab

Chevrolet

1978

Chevy Van

Chevrolet

1975

Impala

Cushman

Truckster

Ford

1975

Custom 500

Oldsmobile

1975

Delta 88

Suzuki

1977

GS 1000

Toyota

1977

Truck

unknown

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


prostituteleopardsexualitysexual awakeninghuman sacrificefear of sextied to a bedbrother sister relationshipzoofemale frontal nudityfemale full frontal nudityanimal attackloss of innocencehuman becoming an animalfemale protagonistzookeepernew orleans louisianaswimming poolremakemurder of a nude womanfemale rear nuditylove trianglegorefemale pubic hairundressing for sexpantiesfellatioskinny dippingcemeterytrain stationnecropsypool of bloodattempted incestchild of incestcuratoreating oystersmale impotencedeath of brotherwoman tied upblood splatterstalkinganimal in a cagefearwoman undressesblack leopardshapeshifterjoggingfemme fatalelustblood

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