When one hears the phrase “microbudget” to describe a massive sigh comes washing over them, mainly because this film is a true passion driven creation and with Nicholas Tana no difference, as his film is a moving but strange trippy tribute to his pet cat. The flick comes from both an adaptation of a 17-episode web series and a comic book, but the one thing it accomplishes even on a low level is many horror star cameos, some even doing a famous tidbit from one of their movies, hence plenty of Easter eggs for the viewer to find.  What is this movie actually about, simply the cat becomes possessed with an incredible jealous attitude and demonic hissing/meowing and in desperate need of an exorcism.

Fans of horror will need to engage in a drinking game to keep up with the insanity, and the references of the beloved genre, as they appear both as images on the screen and character names, hence the film more about comedy than the reverence to the cats and connection to supernatural. If one is curious about some of the films then here’s a hint The Exorcist [1973] obviously, then Killer Klowns from Outer Space [1988], a few turns at Paranormal Activity [2007] and even Psycho [1960].

The film, like so many others when dealing possession, uses the catch phrase ‘based on true events’ this ploy likely making fun of another cliché, follows all the havoc in (Nicholas Tana) Nick’s life and his cat unusual lifestyle. Trying to explain what occurs on the screen, extremely difficult, as the scene more of little shorts, and horror stars playing cameo bits, the scenes such as his cat leaving its food in the form of an inverted pentagram (oh scary). This only is a sample of pushing more weirdness from playing with character names to pun-related references, sometimes missing the mark. Basically Nick (Nicholas Tana) is a single man, an aspiring writer seeking to become the next Hollywood elite, he shares his apartment with his cat, Angel, they’re strangely connected together. He’s often visited by his buddy Adam (Adam Rucho), an extra in many bit parts, however a larger problem looms, his kitty quite jealous of any women entering the home, including his Grandmother Kyle (Lee Meriwether) all get hissed, scratched or much worse. Soon enough women go missing, such as Lisa (Lisa Younger) and Detective  Pluto (Michael Berryman (Necrosis [2009])), who nibbles on a finger, reprising his role from Hills Have Eyes [1977]. Meanwhile friends contact a Medium (Lynn Lowry (Basement Jack [2009])), to help him along with her sister Esmeralda (Kelli Maroney, (Night of the Comet [1984]), none of it aiding more help, just disgust from the feline. However, Nick’s therapist still makes house calls, Dr. Laurie Strode (Nina Kate, who some recalled from Quarantine L.A. [2013]), who speaks about the conditions of feeling trapped against one’s will. Strangely, a key scene with the legendary icon Adrienne Barbeau portraying Mrs. Carri, makes a clear reference to the film Creepshow’s The Crate though she’s not listed on the IMDB credits.

So what does one do when faced with a demon possessed cat, of course get yourself a lawyer, Ms. Rommel (Nina Hartley, the adult film star with over 700 credits, portraying her dominatrix concept). If that doesn’t work, time to call in the big guns none other than Doug Jones (yes, the same one from The Shape of Water [2017]) and Bill Oberst Jr. who Bill identifies himself as  “pet-ophile” and neither of them can keep a straight face. Bill portrays Father Blatty (ugh) and Doug as Father Damien, really those are the names used. Speaking of religious aspects and character the comics insert from Children of the Corn (1984) comes in the form of door to door preachers Isaiah (John Franklin) and Mordicia (Courtney Gains (Corbin Nash [2018])), upon their appearance bring the chorus of choir voices. Nevertheless, these snippets still aren’t the craziest and perhaps oddest scene this reviewer has seen in 2018 in a horror film, a character called Rosemary Carrie, which played by Dale Midkiff (Flight of the Living Dead [2007]) in drag. All of this story told by Nick to his publisher (Robert Rhine (31 [2016])), who reaches for his kitty, and the movie ends, perhaps the cat switched sexes to attack.

In passion pieces, sometimes they are determined to complete the project and overlooks the finer points, those often found in lighting, sound, and some resemblance to a script layout, but when absent then it proves difficult to enjoy the entertainment value. The movie suffers due to on and off working over 5-years, anyone knows trying to make a film, on the weekends and free results in chopping work productivity, and numerous individuals involved with the project. In fact, herein the credits for the crew outnumber the cast (while normally on a big-budgeted film, often unheard-of with indie flicks, 13-cinematographers, 8-editors, 10-electricians, 14-first-ads, 18-grips, the list goes on-on, the shots go from basic to adventurous, and for the most part shot in one location, the apartment. The insanity extends to the cast credits, trying to build on Kevin Williamson of Scream fame, as other screenwriters and filmmakers using names to drive inside jokes and attract more attention. This movie has Sara Barrett as Debbie Roarchon, which is obviously Debbie Rochon or Elissa Dowling as Jaimie Screech Curtis, and Victoria De Mare as a Scream Queen Bus Driver; along with every possible lame cat joke possible, sadly none of them connecting properly with viewers.

This film achieved distribution through Wild Eye Releasing, though this movie wastes time at 95-minutes, while the potential gets wasted earlier the promise of it seeps clearly through, never fully achieved. Every faithful pet owner, who loves their animal, buying cutesy toys, wrestling with them, even photo-time, knows their love sometimes might seem too much but honestly how many go to pet-psychiatrists or getting them an exorcism. If you would do anything for your pet, then this movie is your doggie-treat or cat-toy, amusing time for weirdness.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6051424/

https://hellskitty.com/

https://hellskitty.com/drinking-game/

IMDb Rating: 5.0/10

Baron’s Rating: 4.0/10