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The Cat and the Moon (2019) movie poster

Characters & Themes

The Cat and the Moon (2019) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2019 · 114 min · English
Echo score 77
JustWatch #19,495 2
Starring
Giullian Gioiello, Mike Epps, Skyler Gisondo, Alex Wolff, Stefania Owen, Tommy Nelson

A young musician grapples with his mother's addiction and its impact on his life. Seeking refuge and creative inspiration, he journeys to Manhattan where he finds solace and connection with a family friend. As he navigates the vibrant city, the rhythms of the night reflect his internal struggles and lead him on a path of self-discovery.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (5)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (2)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like The Cat and the Moon
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Cat and the Moon (2019)

Where can you watch The Cat and the Moon? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, Hoopla and Kanopy: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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5 main characters · contains spoilers

The Cat and the Moon Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The Cat and the Moon (2019), 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.

  • Nick

    Nick is a teenager grappling with the upheaval of his life as he adjusts to a new environment following his mother's rehabilitation journey. He is introspective and sensitive, often caught between despair and a longing for connection. His experiences with friends and romantic interests force him to confront his emotions and the reality of his circumstances.

    • 👦 Teen
    • 🌧️ Troubled
  • Cal

    played by Mike Epps

    Cal is an old friend of Nick's father, who takes Nick under his wing during a challenging time. He serves as a father figure, providing guidance and support as Nick navigates the complexities of adolescence. Cal's wisdom and encouragement play a crucial role in Nick's journey toward healing.

    • 👨‍🏫 Mentor
    • 🤝 Supportive
  • Eliza

    played by Stefania Owen

    Eliza is a mysterious and intriguing figure in Nick's life, drawing him in with her artistic spirit and depth. Their shared passion for music creates a strong bond, but the challenges of trust and past relationships complicate their connection. Eliza embodies the complexities of teenage love and the quest for understanding.

    • 💖 Romantic Interest
    • 🎨 Artistic
  • Seamus

    played by Skyler Gisondo

    Seamus is one of the friends who guides Nick through the ups and downs of city life, bringing both excitement and complications. His impulsive behavior and romantic intrigues add layers to the group's dynamics, but his actions also lead to betrayal, highlighting the fragile nature of friendship during adolescence.

    • 👬 Friend
    • 😏 Charming
  • Russell

    played by Tommy Nelson

    Russell is a complex character whose actions reflect the darker side of teenage exploration. He challenges the group's morality and friendship through his reckless behavior and choices, often leading them into dangerous situations. His relationship with Nick provides a narrative about trust and conflict.

    • 👹 Troublemaker
    • 🚬 Reckless

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:19

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Setting

Where and When Does The Cat and the Moon Take Place?

The setting of The Cat and the Moon (2019): 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

Location

New York City

New York City is a bustling metropolis known for its vibrant culture, iconic landmarks, and diverse population. The city's energy and fast-paced lifestyle serve as a backdrop for Nick's journey of self-discovery and emotional turmoil. It is a place where dreams are pursued, yet the realities of life can become overwhelming.

  • 🏙️ City
  • 🌉 Urban

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:19

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2 major themes

The Cat and the Moon Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The Cat and the Moon (2019) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Heartbreak

    The theme of heartbreak permeates the film as Nick navigates the complexities of personal loss, friendship, and romantic relationships. Each character faces their own struggles with trust and betrayal, leading to emotional distancing and painful choices. This theme illustrates the challenges of growing up and the impact of circumstances on interpersonal connections.

  • Music

    Music acts as a comforting force in Nick's life, bonding him with Eliza and allowing them to express their emotions. It serves as a backdrop for their deep conversations and shared experiences, highlighting the power of art in navigating life's difficulties. The theme underscores how creativity and connection can provide solace amid chaos.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:19

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Character & theme questions

The Cat and the Moon Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The Cat and the Moon (2019): 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 is the movie set?

The story takes place primarily in New York City, a bustling metropolis known for its vibrant culture and iconic landmarks. The city's energy and fast-paced lifestyle serve as a backdrop for the protagonist's journey of self-discovery and emotional turmoil.

  • new york city
  • setting
  • manhattan
  • urban setting
Q2

What role does New York City play in the story?

New York City serves as both a refuge and a challenging environment for the protagonist. It is depicted as a place where dreams are pursued but where the realities of life can also become overwhelming, reflecting the character's internal struggles.

  • new york city
  • urban environment
  • setting
  • backdrop
Q3

What does the movie say about heartbreak?

Heartbreak permeates the film as the protagonist navigates personal loss, friendship, and romantic relationships. Each character faces struggles with trust and betrayal, leading to emotional distancing and painful choices, illustrating the challenges of growing up.

  • heartbreak
  • loss
  • trust
  • betrayal
  • relationships
Q4

How does music function in the film?

Music acts as a comforting force that bonds the protagonist with a fellow character, allowing them to express their emotions. It serves as a backdrop for deep conversations and shared experiences, highlighting how creativity and connection can provide solace amid chaos.

  • music
  • creativity
  • art
  • connection
  • emotional expression
Q5

Who is Cal in the movie?

Cal is an old friend of the protagonist's father who takes the young musician under his wing during a challenging time. He serves as a father figure, providing guidance and support as the protagonist navigates adolescence, and plays a crucial role in his journey toward healing.

  • cal
  • mentor
  • father figure
  • guidance
  • support
Q6

Who is Eliza in the story?

Eliza is a mysterious and intriguing figure who draws the protagonist in with her artistic spirit and depth. Their shared passion for music creates a strong bond, but challenges of trust and past relationships complicate their connection, embodying the complexities of teenage love.

  • eliza
  • love interest
  • artist
  • teenage romance
  • complex relationship
Q7

Who is the main character Nick?

Nick is a teenager grappling with the upheaval of his life as he adjusts to a new environment following his mother's rehabilitation journey. He is introspective and sensitive, often caught between despair and a longing for connection, as he confronts his emotions and circumstances.

  • nick
  • protagonist
  • teenager
  • emotional struggle
  • musician
Q8

What is Nick's home situation?

Nick is dealing with his mother's addiction and its impact on his life. The upheaval from her rehabilitation journey forces Nick to adjust to a new environment, creating emotional turmoil that drives his journey of self-discovery.

  • mother
  • addiction
  • family struggle
  • rehabilitation
  • emotional impact
Q9

What is the overall tone of the film?

The tone is predominantly melancholic due to the central theme of grappling with a parent's addiction and the protagonist's own emotional crisis. While the subject matter is heavy, the story incorporates elements of friendship, musical connection, and a cautiously hopeful ending.

  • tone
  • melancholic
  • emotional
  • dark themes
  • hope
Q10

How does the urban setting influence the story?

The urban setting creates a backdrop of both opportunity and overwhelm. The rhythms of the city at night reflect the protagonist's internal struggles, while party sequences and urban encounters build a narrative of a compressed, transformative period in his life.

  • urban setting
  • night city
  • transformation
  • party scenes
  • urban encounters

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Cat and the Moon, by Mood & Story

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

Movies about urban melancholy and youthful angst like The Cat and the Moon

Young souls navigating loneliness and self-discovery in a sprawling city. If you liked the raw, melancholic vibe of The Cat and the Moon, explore more movies about young people finding themselves in cities. These stories feature introspective characters, atmospheric settings, and heavy emotional themes like grief and addiction, offering a similar feel of urban loneliness and self-discovery.

  • melancholic
  • introspective
  • lonely
  • urban
  • atmospheric
  • raw
  • Tone: melancholic, raw, introspective
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a young protagonist, often a teenager or young adult, who is grappling with a significant personal struggle. They find themselves in a large city, which acts as both a refuge and a catalyst for their internal journey. The story unfolds through a series of encounters and experiences that slowly lead them toward a new understanding of themselves and their place in the world.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared mood of urban melancholy and their focus on the raw, introspective experience of youth. They often feature a steady pace, a bittersweet tone, and use the city almost as a character to reflect the protagonist's internal state.

Movies with bittersweet journeys of healing like The Cat and the Moon

Stories where characters survive a crisis and find a difficult, but hopeful, new perspective. Fans of The Cat and the Moon looking for similar emotional arcs will find these movies compelling. They feature characters overcoming heavy life challenges like addiction or grief, resulting in endings that are hopeful yet realistically bittersweet, capturing the complex process of healing and moving forward.

  • bittersweet
  • heavy
  • reflective
  • hopeful
  • emotional
  • raw
  • Tone: bittersweet, heavy, reflective
  • Pacing: steady, contemplative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a protagonist confronting a profound personal hardship, such as family trauma, addiction, or loss. The story charts their struggle, often including moments of despair, and culminates in an ending that acknowledges the pain endured while suggesting a fragile but meaningful step forward. The resolution is bittersweet, emphasizing survival and hard-earned wisdom over simple happiness.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their central theme of navigating trauma and their consistent emotional arc from despair to a complex, bittersweet form of hope. They share a heavy emotional weight and an ending feel that balances sadness with a cautious sense of possibility.

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Every angle

The Cat and the Moon (2019) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Cat and the Moon 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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