How a stray tabby cat became the unlikely thread connecting three Stephen King nightmares.
In short: Released in 1985, Cat's Eye is an anthology horror film that weaves three distinct tales together through the eyes of a wandering cat. From a brutal smoking cessation clinic to a lethal penthouse wager and a supernatural home invasion, the film blends dark comedy with terror in a unique cinematic structure.
The film's origins trace back to 1978, when producer Milton Subotsky optioned several short stories from Stephen King's collection Night Shift. Initially envisioned as an anthology titled Fright Night, the project stalled until Dino De Laurentiis acquired the rights. Impressed by Drew Barrymore's performance in Firestarter, De Laurentiis commissioned King to write a new, original story specifically for her, which ultimately became the third segment of the film.
The narrative follows a stray tabby that travels across the United States, witnessing three harrowing events. In the first story, a man named Dick Morrison joins Quitters, Inc., a clinic that uses extreme, violent coercion to enforce smoking cessation. The second segment features a crime boss named Cressner, who forces a man named Johnny Norris to walk the exterior ledge of a penthouse as a high-stakes wager. The final story, set in Wilmington, North Carolina, involves a young girl named Amanda who is terrorized by a malevolent troll.
Upon its April 12, 1985 release, the film grossed over $13 million at the domestic box office. Critical reception was varied; while some reviewers like Vincent Canby praised its stylish, clever execution, others like Kim Newman felt the film suffered from weak punchlines. Despite mixed reviews, the film holds a 70% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and remains a notable entry in the catalog of Stephen King adaptations, earning an International Fantasy Film Award nomination in 1987.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Cat's Eye (1985 film)
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