Cat Sick Blues [Review]

People deal with grief in numerous ways – that’s part of what makes us human. Some will choose to close themselves off from the world as they cope with their lost loved ones while others will undoubtedly parade their sorrow around for the world to see. A very select group of individuals (I’m assuming) might go so far as to construct a giant cat outfit; complete with razor claws, a bulbous head, and an anatomically exaggerated kitty cock–as they partake in a murderous rampage. Cat Sick Blues, of course, explores the latter.

One thing deserves to be stressed up front; This is not a horror/comedy. I know it may really REALLY sound like it is, but it isn’t. Sure, there are a few awkward moments of black comedy here and there, but that’s not the focus. Cat Sick Blues is best described as the most bizarre character study you’ll ever see.

We follow two people–the first of which is Claire; the mother of an internet-famous kitty-cat named Imeida. Unfortunately, Claire and Imeida have a particularly bad day that results in Claire being sexually assaulted by a mentally challenged fella after he loves her cat a little too hard. As awful as being raped by a half-wit must be, Claire seems mostly impacted by the death of her cat. In fact, she’s so distraught that she decides to attend a support group for grieving pet owners. It’s here that she meets Ted; a quiet man that suffers from some sort of weird seizure/panic attack fits whenever he gets worked up. He’s also the owner of the aforementioned cat suit. You see, Ted is convinced that murdering and collecting the blood of nine human lives will restore the life of his best friend Patrick; the deceased feline that resides in his freezer. Yes, it is undoubtedly the strangest concept I’ve come across in a while–if not ever. Yet somehow, against all odds, Cat Sick Blues is able to present itself in a way that feels genuine–no matter how dirty it makes you feel.

From a technical standpoint, the visuals vary a bit. One moment you’re in a scene plagued with white balance and exposure issues, while your jaw drops at the insanely visceral and mind-altering imagery of the next. Luckily, the good far outweighs the bad. There are some truly fantastic shots littered throughout this film (pun intended). The sound is natural and well recorded without ever feeling “roomy” or too tight, and the FX work is realistic and satisfying. There’s no CGI sticking out on this one–just good ol’ fashioned craftsmanship. The same can be said about the acting. There’s nothing here that’s going to blow you away, but our two leads do a fantastic job of portraying Ted and Claire. From awkward and spazmatic to terrified and confused –the duo of Shian Denovan and Matthew C. Vaughan fires on all cylinders. The occasional supporting cast member… not so much, but those are few and far between.

Holistically, Cat Sick Blues is a wildly successful endeavor into the mind of the depraved. It’s unlike anything I have ever seen, and I’d be willing to bet that you walk away with the same conclusion. It’s awkward and violent and makes you feel dirty just for watching. At the same time, it has a certain undefinable quality that almost makes you sympathize with Ted–especially by the time the credits roll. Short of a few budgetary constraints, Cat Sick Blues is a marvelous entry into our beloved genre. Do yourself a favor and seek this one out.

We’ll be sure to keep you posted on future screenings and release information as it becomes available. So stay tuned.