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Cinderella the Cat (2017) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Cinderella the Cat (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 86 min · Italian
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Directed by
Alessandro Rak, Ivan Cappiello, Marino Guarnieri, Dario Sansone
Starring
Alessandro Gassman, Anna Trieste, Chiara Baffi, Federica Altamura, Francesca Romana Bergamo, Gino Fastidio

Aboard the notorious Megaride, docked in Naples, Cinderella the Cat struggles to escape the control of her cruel stepmother and stepsisters. As tensions rise on the ship, she finds herself caught in a dangerous underworld of crime and deception. To survive, this resourceful feline must rely on her intelligence and quick thinking to navigate the treacherous high seas and break free from her captivity.

On this page (9)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (5)
  3. 3 Character relationship map
  4. 4 Where & when it takes place
  5. 5 Themes & meaning (2)
  6. 6 Character & meaning questions
  7. 7 Movie threads
  8. 8 Movies like Cinderella the Cat
  9. 9 Every angle
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5 main characters · contains spoilers

Cinderella the Cat Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Cinderella the Cat (2017), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Vittorio Basile

    A prosperous scientist and shipowner, Basile is deeply ambitious and visionary, launching the Megaride with grand dreams. His tragic demise sets off a chain of events that lead to the degradation of his legacy, leaving behind a daughter burdened with loss and a mother with ambitions that betray her family.

    • 🔬 Scientist
    • 🌊 Dreamer
  • Angelica Carannante

    played by Maria Pia Calzone

    Angelica is portrayed as a complex and manipulative character, driven by her desires for power and social status. Her cruel treatment of Mia and hidden ambitions regarding Lo Giusto reflect her inner conflicts, culminating in a moment of realization about her life's choices.

    • 👩‍👧 Stepmother
    • 💼 Manipulator
  • Mia

    Mia, affectionately known as 'Gatta Cenerentola' for her stealthy ways, endures a harsh upbringing but remains resilient in the face of adversity. Her character evolves from a voiceless victim to a courageous heroine determined to reclaim her father's legacy, ultimately confronting her fate with newfound strength.

    • 👧 Survivor
    • 🌟 Heroine
  • Primo Gemito

    Primo serves as the loyal bodyguard of Basile, who ultimately becomes an investigator seeking justice against Lo Giusto. His unwavering dedication to Mia’s protection and his quest to restore Naples illustrate themes of valor and righteousness amidst chaotic circumstances.

    • 🕵️‍♂️ Bodyguard
    • ⚔️ Defender
  • Salvatore Lo Giusto

    played by Massimiliano Gallo

    Lo Giusto is characterized as a ruthless figure who embodies crime and manipulation. His intentions toward Mia and his treacherous alliance with Angelica depict him as a powerful antagonist willing to exploit others for his gain while revealing the darker aspects of human nature.

    • 👑 Antagonist
    • ⚔️ Criminal

Last updated: October 27, 2026 at 12:38

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5 characters · 10 connections · contains spoilers

Cinderella the Cat Character Relationship Map

Who is connected to whom in Cinderella the Cat: family, love, friendships, rivalries and hidden ties, colour-coded. Pick a character to see their side of the story, or a connection to see what brings two characters together.

How much of the story to show
VBVittorio BasileACAngelicaCarannanteMaria Pia CalzoneMMiaPGPrimo GemitoSLSalvatoreLo GiustoMassimiliano Gallo

Last updated: October 27, 2026 at 12:38

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Setting

Where and When Does Cinderella the Cat Take Place?

The setting of Cinderella the Cat (2017): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The events unfold over a timeline of several years, particularly focusing on the transition from a hopeful technological ambition to a dark, crime-ridden era. Significant developments such as the tragic wedding disaster and Mia growing up under harsh conditions occur throughout this period.

Location

Naples, Megaride

Naples is a historic city in Italy, known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture, and vibrant street life. The Megaride, a state-of-the-art ship, serves as a central element in the story, initially envisioned as a technological marvel and digital archive but over time corrupted into a den of vice.

  • 🏖️ City
  • 🚢 Ship

Last updated: October 27, 2026 at 12:38

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2 major themes

Cinderella the Cat Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Cinderella the Cat (2017) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Betrayal

    The theme of betrayal is prevalent as various characters manipulate and deceive one another for personal gain. Angelica’s betrayal of Basile leads to devastating consequences, while her ulterior motivations create a traumatic environment for Mia. Ultimately, betrayal drives the conflict and shapes the destinies of all involved.

  • Hope and Redemption

    Despite the darkness surrounding Mia's life, the theme of hope shines through as she seeks to reclaim her father's legacy. Her journey towards self-discovery and courage underscores the potential for redemption amidst chaos. Support from Primo embodies the quest for moral restoration, highlighting the power of resilience.

Last updated: October 27, 2026 at 12:38

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Character & theme questions

Cinderella the Cat Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Cinderella the Cat (2017): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where does this movie take place?

The story unfolds primarily in Naples, Italy, and aboard the Megaride, a massive ship docked in the city. The Megaride was originally conceived as a cutting-edge technological marvel and digital archive but was corrupted over time into a dark underworld of crime.

  • naples
  • megaride
  • setting
  • ship
  • italy
Q2

What is the Megaride?

The Megaride is a state-of-the-art ship originally launched by scientist Vittorio Basile with grand ambitions to serve as a technological marvel and digital archive. Over the years, it became corrupted and transformed into a den of vice and criminal activity, serving as the primary setting for the film's conflicts.

  • megaride
  • ship
  • basile
  • vittorio basile
Q3

When does the story take place?

The events span several years, tracing the transition from Basile's hopeful technological vision to a dark, crime-ridden era. The timeline includes the tragic wedding disaster and Mia's difficult upbringing under harsh conditions.

  • timeline
  • years
  • era
  • historical context
Q4

What are the main themes of this film?

The movie explores two primary themes: Betrayal, where characters manipulate and deceive each other for personal gain with devastating consequences, and Hope and Redemption, following Mia's journey to reclaim her father's legacy and find courage amidst chaos.

  • themes
  • betrayal
  • hope
  • redemption
Q5

How is betrayal explored in the story?

Betrayal runs throughout the narrative as Angelica's betrayal of Basile leads to tragic consequences, creating a traumatic environment for Mia. Her ulterior motivations and treachery drive much of the conflict, shaping the destinies of all characters involved.

  • betrayal
  • angelica
  • basile
  • conflict
Q6

Who is the main character Mia?

Mia, nicknamed 'Gatta Cenerentola' (Cinderella the Cat) for her stealthy ways, is the protagonist who endures a harsh upbringing under her stepmother Angelica. She transforms from a voiceless victim into a courageous heroine determined to reclaim her father's legacy.

  • mia
  • gatta cenerentola
  • protagonist
  • cinderella
Q7

Who is Angelica and what is her role?

Angelica Carannante is the manipulative stepmother who treats Mia cruelly while hiding ambitions for power and status. Her complex nature involves ulterior motives regarding Lo Giusto, and her choices create the traumatic environment that drives Mia's struggle.

  • angelica
  • stepmother
  • villain
  • manipulation
Q8

Who was Vittorio Basile?

Vittorio Basile was a prosperous scientist and shipowner who launched the Megaride with grand dreams of creating a technological marvel. His tragic demise sets off the chain of events that leads to the ship's degradation and leaves his daughter Mia burdened with loss.

  • vittorio basile
  • scientist
  • father
  • megaride founder
Q9

Who is Primo Gemito?

Primo Gemito was the loyal bodyguard of Basile who later becomes an investigator seeking justice against Lo Giusto. His unwavering dedication to protecting Mia and his quest to restore Naples embody themes of valor and righteousness amidst the film's chaotic circumstances.

  • primo
  • bodyguard
  • protector
  • investigator
Q10

Who is the main antagonist Lo Giusto?

Salvatore Lo Giusto is the ruthless antagonist who embodies crime and manipulation aboard the Megaride. He forms a treacherous alliance with Angelica and represents the darker aspects of human nature, exploiting others for his gain as a powerful criminal figure.

  • lo giusto
  • antagonist
  • villain
  • crime
  • boss
Q11

What is the tone and atmosphere of the film?

The film has a consistently dark and intense atmosphere, dominated by themes of murder, forced marriage, psychological abuse, and the degradation of a father's legacy. The narrative carries heavy emotional weight due to childhood trauma, psychological manipulation, and the constant threat of violence.

  • tone
  • atmosphere
  • dark
  • intense
  • psychological
Q12

How does the story end emotionally?

The ending is bittersweet: while Mia is saved and the primary villain meets a fiery end, victory is tempered by the destruction of her father's legacy ship and the tragic death of her stepsisters. The stepmother's last-minute redemption adds melancholy to the resolution.

  • ending
  • bittersweet
  • resolution
  • emotional

Movie threads

More Movies Like Cinderella the Cat, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Cinderella the Cat tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Gothic Confinement Thrillers like Cinderella the Cat

Dark stories of trapped protagonists navigating oppressive, criminal underworlds. If you enjoyed the oppressive atmosphere of Cinderella the Cat, discover more movies like it. This list features thrillers where characters are trapped in a single location dominated by crime and corruption, leading to a tense and violent struggle for freedom.

  • claustrophobic
  • tense
  • gritty
  • oppressive
  • revenge-driven
  • grim
  • Tone: dark, oppressive, tense
  • Pacing: steady, methodical build
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives focus on a character held captive, either physically or psychologically, within a distinct and menacing domain. The plot revolves around their attempts to understand the rules of their prison, identify allies and enemies, and ultimately orchestrate an escape or takeover, often at great personal cost.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared core premise: a protagonist confined within a malevolent microcosm. They share a dark tone, high tension, and a sense of grim determination as the hero battles against overwhelming odds in a tightly controlled environment.

Movies about Bittersweet Reckonings with Trauma like Cinderella the Cat

Emotionally heavy journeys where survival results in a costly, complex victory. For viewers who appreciated the heavy emotional weight and bittersweet ending of Cinderella the Cat. This collection features movies with similar themes of survival, childhood trauma, and complex victories where the hero wins but carries lasting scars from their journey.

  • melancholic
  • grim
  • anxious
  • heavy
  • revenge-driven
  • tense
  • Tone: dark, melancholic, bittersweet
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern begins with a foundational trauma that shapes the protagonist. The main plot forces a confrontation with this past, often through a direct threat. The resolution involves overcoming the immediate danger and achieving a form of justice or freedom, but the ending is tinged with melancholy due to the destruction endured or the irreversible personal cost.

Why they belong together: This thread connects films that balance a heavy, traumatic backstory with a narrative of survival, leading to an ending that is more complex than a simple happy resolution. They share a focus on psychological scars, a high emotional weight, and a tone that acknowledges the price of survival.

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Movies Like Cinderella the Cat

Similar movies to Cinderella the Cat: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

Cinderella the Cat (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Cinderella the Cat in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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