By MICHAEL GINGOLD
The “original, audacious horror film with a deliciously campy edge” is headed for its UK premiere next month.
DON’T LET THE CAT OUT will have its British debut at FrightFest London, screening on Friday, August 22 at 3:15 p.m. Directed by Tim Cruz, whose previous feature LADYBUG had its world premiere at FrightFest last year, directed from a script by Anthony Del Negro, who also stars alongside Jordan James Smith, Cerina Vincent (CABIN FEVER), Edy Ganem and Sterling Sulieman. The synopsis: “When Charlie agrees to house-sit on Halloween, he expects a quiet evening alone. But the night quickly goes to hell when he is kidnapped and tortured by the deranged homeowners who plan to use Charlie’s body as a vessel to resurrect their beloved dead cat.”
“DON’T LET THE CAT OUT is a deeply personal exploration of grief, inspired by my own journey through loss and the initial refusal to face it,” Cruz says. “Shot over 16 intense nights in Louisville, Kentucky, this film delves into the psychological and supernatural consequences of unresolved grief through the character of Evelyn, who is unable to confront the impending loss of her beloved cats.
My father, a wedding photographer, was my first inspiration to pursue storytelling through images while I was growing up. When we emigrated from Manila to New York, he not only guided me into a new world, but also instilled in me a profound love for capturing moments and emotions on film. His sudden passing seven years ago left me grappling with a refusal to mourn, an experience that profoundly shaped this narrative.
“In Evelyn, I see echoes of my own struggle with grief. Her refusal to mourn mirrors the way I came to terms with my father’s death. The character of Rodney further amplifies the theme, representing different facets of dealing with loss and the sometimes-haunting consequences of avoiding it.
“In addition to exploring these emotional depths, DON’T LET THE CAT OUT embraces the genre of awkward horror/comedy. This unique blend allows us to navigate the dark and often uncomfortable terrain of grief with moments of levity and absurdity, reflecting the sometimes surreal and bizarre nature of coping with loss. The awkward humor serves as a counterbalance to the horror, providing a means to confront and process difficult emotions in a more accessible and relatable way.
“The story is not just about loss, but about the journey to acceptance and the profound impact of love for those we hold dear, be it family or pets. If given the opportunity, I would do anything to help my beloved dachshund Lumpia live forever, just as Evelyn clings to her cats. Through this film, I aim to evoke a sense of empathy and understanding in viewers, encouraging them to confront their own grief and find solace in the shared human experience of mourning. DON’T LET THE CAT OUT is a testament to the power of facing our deepest fears, the catharsis that comes with acceptance, and the surprising humor that can be found even in the darkest of times.”
