Legend of the Demon Cat (2019): Cast, Ratings & Plot
Legend of the Demon Cat is a 2019 drama horror film directed by Kaige Chen, starring Xuan Huang as Bai Letian, Brittany Falardeau and Haoran Liu. It runs 2 hours 9 minutes and was made on a reported $25 million budget. Critics gave it 57 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 9m (129 min)
- Director
- Kaige Chen
- Budget
- $25M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Legend of the Demon Cat About?
The premise of Legend of the Demon Cat without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In ancient Chang'an City, a supernatural demon cat disrupts the peace, leading to a series of unsettling events. Poet Bai Letian and Monk Kukai join forces to investigate the sudden death of Lady Yang, a cherished imperial concubine. They follow the strange clues left behind by the feline spirit, uncovering a complex mystery that threatens the stability of the empire and forcing them to confront dark secrets within the imperial court.
Legend of the Demon Cat Themes & Keywords
· 21 tags- tang dynasty
- cat
- black cat
- chinese emperor
- poet
- concubine
- buddhist monk
- ancient china
- emperor
- death
- lethargy
- secret
+9 more Show fewer
- chinese history
- 9th century
- investigation
- supernatural power
- psychotronic film
- magical creature
- mysticism
- talking animal
- based on novel
Legend of the Demon Cat Cast & Characters
Xuan Huang leads the cast as Bai Letian, with Brittany Falardeau as Lady Yang and Haoran Liu as Bai Long. Directed by Kaige Chen; 14 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Kaige Chen
- Xuan Huang as Bai Letian
- Brittany Falardeau as Lady Yang
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Haoran Liu as Bai Long - Matt Fowler as Demon Cat
Also Starring in Legend of the Demon Cat
· 10 more- Shôta Sometani Kûkai
- Mason Lee
- Brian Flaccus Lishiao
- Keiko Matsuzaka Bai Ling
- Hiroshi Abe
- Hao Qin Chen yunqiao
- Peiqi Liu
- Libby Brien Bai Ling, Mother, Woman 2
- Taisheng Chen
- Kitty Zhang Yuqi
More from Kaige Chen
More films directed by Kaige Chen, best-rated first: Farewell My Concubine, Jing Ke ci Qin Wang, Sacrifice and Together.
Legend of the Demon Cat Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Legend of the Demon Cat 57 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 66/100, strongest in art & craft (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).
Legend of the Demon Cat Echo Score Breakdown
Legend of the Demon Cat delivers ambitious art direction and a resonant score, yet its uneven narrative structure and variable character depth temper its success. Reviews highlight lavish production design, striking costumes, and an immersive soundtrack, while acknowledging that some CGI effects falter. The leads are generally engaging despite superficial emotional arcs, and the plot’s second half is criticized for dragging and predictability. Overall, the film impresses visually but struggles to sustain momentum, resulting in a moderately uneven experience.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 75
In terms of art and craft, the film’s production design and costume work stand out as its greatest strengths. Reviews praise the elaborate sets, vibrant color schemes, and intricate hair and makeup. Despite these achievements, occasional CGI shortcomings draw criticism for breaking visual immersion. Overall, the art direction impresses through its ambition and scale.
- Character & Emotion 65
When it comes to character and emotion, the leads offer engaging chemistry but lack depth in their emotional journeys. Observers note that the performances are competent and occasionally charming, yet key relationships remain superficially explored. While the actors convey sincerity, underdeveloped arcs limit resonance. In conclusion, character work feels serviceable but not fully realized.
- Story & Flow 55
In terms of story and flow, the film’s first half builds intrigue with measured pacing and atmospheric tension. However, the narrative becomes fragmented in the second half, with extensive flashbacks and predictable plot turns that disrupt engagement. Sensationalist elements and simplified emotional beats further undermine cohesion. Overall, the storyline is uneven, oscillating between promising and prosaic developments.
- Sensory Experience 75
Regarding sensory experience, the sweeping musical score and sound design contribute to an immersive atmosphere. Visual presentation is largely compelling, with vivid cinematography and ornate production values enhancing the historic setting. Nonetheless, some CGI effects and digital enhancements occasionally feel artificial. Overall, the sensory elements excel in mood and scale but are not without technical irregularities.
- Rewatch Factor 50
When considering rewatch factor, the film’s visual opulence and musical richness suggest some appeal for repeat viewings. Yet the uneven storytelling and pacing issues may deter multiple viewings, particularly as narrative flaws become more apparent over time. While enthusiasts of artful design might revisit certain sequences, the overall inconsistencies limit broad rewatch potential.
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IMDb 6.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 57 Metascore
See on Metacritic
Legend of the Demon Cat Plot Summary
What happens in Legend of the Demon Cat from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In this haunting reinterpretation of Yang Guifei’s tragic fate, reality intertwines with the supernatural. The narrative begins with Chunqin, the wife of a commanding army leader, who makes a perilous pact with a mysterious talking black cat. In return for the cat’s insatiable craving for fish eyes, she receives a fortune in coins, which she shares with her husband. This initial deal sets a precedent for a tale steeped in otherworldly schemes.
Full summary
The whole story of Legend of the Demon Cat, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Legend of the Demon Cat?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What does Chunqin initially trade with the talking black cat?
Seen Legend of the Demon Cat?
Movies Like Legend of the Demon Cat
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including White Cat Legend, Legend of the Cat Monster and Evil Cat.
Legend of the Demon Cat FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget, ratings and post-credit scenes of Legend of the Demon Cat, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Legend of the Demon Cat?
Legend of the Demon Cat runs 2 hours 9 minutes (129 minutes).
When was Legend of the Demon Cat released?
Legend of the Demon Cat was released on March 22, 2019.
Who directed Legend of the Demon Cat?
Legend of the Demon Cat was directed by Kaige Chen.
More films by Kaige Chen Who is in the cast of Legend of the Demon Cat?
Legend of the Demon Cat stars Xuan Huang as Bai Letian, Brittany Falardeau as Lady Yang and Haoran Liu as Bai Long, among 14 credited actors.
What was the budget of Legend of the Demon Cat?
Legend of the Demon Cat had a reported budget of $25 million.
How is Legend of the Demon Cat rated?
Legend of the Demon Cat has 6.2/10 on IMDb and 57 on Metacritic.
Does Legend of the Demon Cat have a post-credit scene?
No. Legend of the Demon Cat has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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