PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Cat’s Eye is a 1985 horror anthology directed by Lewis Teague and written by Stephen King, drawing from several of King’s short stories. It stitches together suspense, dark humor, and supernatural weirdness, all loosely connected by a wandering stray cat. Despite common superstitions, this cat isn’t black — and it isn’t bad luck. In fact, it might just be the hero!
The film is made up of three stories:
“Quitters, Inc.”
James Woods plays a man desperate to quit smoking who turns to a shadowy company promising guaranteed results. Their methods, however, are terrifying: psychological warfare and brutal threats against his family ensure compliance. It’s a brilliant example of how King blends the mundane with the horrific, and it should be required study for anyone interested in how to build a tight, effective anthology tale. Alan King really shines here as the twisted Dr. Vinny Donatti, whose methods may be effective but…at what cost?
“The Ledge”
Here, a wealthy gambler (Kenneth McMillan) discovers his wife’s affair with a tennis pro (Robert Hays) and decides to exact punishment through a sadistic game: walk the narrow ledge of his penthouse building, or die. It’s a direct nod to the biblical severity of Leviticus 20:10, and the tension here is radical — sweaty-palmed, edge-of-your-seat stuff. You may never look at pigeons the same way again, either. Ouch!
“General”
The only original story written for the film features a young Drew Barrymore. She plays a girl terrorized at night by a grotesque little troll that tries to steal her breath. The stray cat, “General,” steps in as her unlikely protector. It’s a strange, slightly whimsical segment that works because it doesn’t take itself too seriously, while still managing real menace. That troll is a real creep!
Tone and Style
For the most part, Cat’s Eye leans creepier and more ironic than horrifying (though it does get pretty dark). It hits that sweet mid-80s spot where Stephen King met The Twilight Zone — pulpy setups, nasty twists, and a little bit of grim humor. It’s not trying to traumatize you; it’s trying to get under your skin and make you smirk nervously.
There’s even a vibe that would later show up in The X-Files (another anthology series): the idea that the bizarre is just a hair’s breadth away from everyday life. Cat’s Eye doesn’t get quite the same attention as King’s Creepshow series, but it’s still a fun flick, and possibly deserves its own reboot .
The stray cat, while initially just a thread linking the stories, becomes an emotional anchor by the end. By the closing credits, you realize the movie was never really just about the horror — it was also about small, stubborn acts of protection and survival.
Final Thoughts
So whether you’re a diehard King fan, someone who likes their horror with a side of irony, or just curious what “Hay is for horses, sometimes for cows” references might mean in a creepy anthology, Cat’s Eye is worth your time. Also: yes, being hilariously weirded out by The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” will make perfect sense once you see this flick.
Have you seen Cat’s Eye already, or are you thinking about giving it a watch? Meow it up in the comments!
