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Cat People

CAT PEOPLE

1982 • US HMDB

April 2, 1982

After years of separation, Irena Gallier and her minister brother, Paul, reunite in New Orleans. When zoologists capture a wild panther, Irena is drawn to the cat – and zoo curator Oliver to her. Soon, Paul will have to reveal the family secret: that when sexually aroused, they revert into predatory jungle cats.

Directors

Paul Schrader

Horror Thriller

Cast

Nastassja Kinski

Irena Gallier

Malcolm McDowell

Paul Gallier

John Heard

Oliver Yates

Annette O'Toole

Alice Perrin

Ruby Dee

Female

Ed Begley Jr.

Joe Creigh

Scott Paulin

Bill Searle

Frankie Faison

Det. Brandt

Ron Diamond

Detective Ron Diamond

Lynn Lowry

Ruthie

John Larroquette

Bronte Judson

Tessa Richarde

Billie

Patricia Perkins

Taxi Driver

Berry Berenson

Sandra

Fausto Barajas

Otis

John H. Fields

Massage Parlor Manager

Emery Hollier

Yeatman Brewer

Stephen Marshal

Moonie

Robert Pavlovich

Ted

Julie Denney

Carol

Crew

Production: Charles W. Fries (Producer) — Jerry Bruckheimer (Executive Producer) — Max Rosenberg (Executive Producer)

Screenplay: Alan Ormsby (Screenplay) — Paul Schrader (Screenplay) — DeWitt Bodeen (Story)

Music: Giorgio Moroder (Original Music Composer)

Cinematography: John Bailey (Director of Photography)

REVIEWS (1)

Marco Castellini

• December 13, 2025

In New Orleans, a woman is killed and offered as a sacrifice to a panther goddess. In the same city, another girl meets the brother she had never known and who informs her of the terrible curse that weighs on their family: they cannot fall in love because, if this should happen, they would immediately be transformed into ferocious panthers. Remake of Tourneur's film which, apart from the sinuous forms of the beautiful Nastassja Kinski, offers few reasons to be remembered. If you are really interested in the genre and cannot get the 1942 film... otherwise, let it go.