Culture | Back Story

“Cat Person”, an internet-breaking short story, is back as a film

A tale of dating and consent has many lives and lessons

Nicholas Braun and Emilia Jones in Cat Person.
Image: Courtesy of STUDIOCANAL

A long, excruciating sex scene is at the heart of “Cat Person”, both Kristen Roupenian’s short story and a flawed new film adaptation. In his klutzy rush to take off his trousers, Robert (played on screen by Nicholas Braun) finds he has forgotten to remove his shoes. He whispers dismal, porn-inspired pillow talk to Margot (Emilia Jones), eventually waddling off to the bathroom. In a fittingly grim detail added in the movie, he is still wearing his socks.

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This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “How not to skin a cat”

From the October 7th 2023 edition

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