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Timeline

The Cat and the Moon (2019) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2019 · 114 min · English
Echo score 77
JustWatch #19,327 3
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 (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like The Cat and the Moon
  6. 6 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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15 events in order · contains spoilers

The Cat and the Moon Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Cat and the Moon (2019) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Nick Moves to New York City

    As Nick's mother begins her rehabilitation, he relocates to New York City to stay with Cal, an old friend of his father's. The bustling energy of the city surrounds him, marking the start of a new chapter in his life filled with self-exploration and discovery.

    Where
    New York City
  2. Daily Commute and Reflection

    Nick navigates the chaotic streets of New York on his daily journey to school, which becomes a ritual for deep reflection. Each morning, he grapples with feelings of loneliness and the challenges of adapting to his new environment.

    Where
    New York City
  3. A Moment of Desolation

    One pivotal morning, overtaken by despair, Nick contemplates a drastic escape from his life. However, a sudden surge of fear interrupts his thoughts, pulling him back from the brink and guiding him towards safety.

  4. Meeting Eliza

    At school, Nick encounters Eliza, a girl whose mysterious presence instantly captivates him. Their connection sparks curiosity in Nick, leading him to seek more understanding of this intriguing individual.

    Where
    School
  5. New Friendships Begin

    The next day, while looking for solace in substance use at school, Nick meets Seamus and Russell. The two new friends take him under their wing, promising new experiences and a sense of belonging.

    Where
    School Restroom
  6. A Night to Remember

    Nick is invited to a party where he rekindles his bond with Eliza and reconnects with Skylar. The night is filled with deep conversations, shared memories, and a budding connection with Eliza over their mutual love for music.

    Where
    Party
  7. Secrets and Betrayals

    The following day, at a fast-food restaurant, Russell hints at infidelity, urging Nick to keep this secret from Eliza. The revelation weighs heavily on Nick as he navigates the complexities of his new friendships.

    Where
    Fast-Food Restaurant
  8. Reckless Decisions

    On a fateful Friday night, Russell acquires illicit substances, leading the group down a dangerous path. Tensions rise when Russell uses a racial slur, provoking a hostile reaction from a street vendor, which escalates the evening's chaos.

    Where
    Street Vendor
  9. Encounters with Betrayal

    The day after the wild night, Nick discovers Seamus engaging in a betrayal in the restroom. This experience shakes Nick's perception of trust within his circle of friends.

    Where
    School Restroom
  10. A Romantic Interruption

    In a moment of vulnerability, a drunken Lola takes Nick to a bedroom for a romantic encounter. However, their intimacy is interrupted by a rowdy group of teenagers, forcing Nick to confront humiliation.

    Where
    Bedroom
  11. Help and Connection

    As the evening darkens, Nick's friends help Lola get home while Eliza and Nick share an intimate moment. This brief connection offers a glimmer of hope amidst the turmoil Nick faces.

  12. News of Mom's Progress

    Cal tells Nick about his mother's strides in rehabilitation, stating that he needs to stay in New York. This news weighs heavily on Nick, who realizes the importance of supporting his mother's journey.

  13. Drowning in Emotional Pain

    Seeing Seamus reconnecting with Eliza on the bus triggers feelings of inadequacy in Nick, leading him to contemplate ending his pain once again. This moment catalyzes a deeper exploration of his emotions.

    Where
    Bus
  14. Confrontation with Russell

    After confiding in Cal about his emotional struggles, Nick faces Russell’s wrath in a physical altercation later that day. This confrontation symbolizes the escalating tensions among the group.

  15. Bittersweet Farewell

    As Nick prepares to say goodbye to New York, the farewell party serves as a poignant closure. With a final glance at Eliza, whose lingering presence haunts him, Nick reflects on the transformations he's undergone in the city.

    Where
    New York City

Last updated: November 17, 2024 at 21:29

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Timeline questions answered

The Cat and the Moon Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Cat and the Moon (2019): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Nick contemplate suicide in the movie?

Nick struggles with suicidal ideation throughout his time in New York, triggered by multiple factors: his mother's addiction and absence, feelings of isolation in a new city, and emotional pain from seeing Seamus reconnect with Eliza. He experiences two specific moments of crisis, one on a rooftop before school and another after witnessing Seamus and Eliza together on the bus. These incidents compound his existing despair over his family situation.

Foreshadowing: The morning of his first crisis, Nick is described as being consumed by desolation during his commute, setting up his fragile mental state.

  • suicide
  • mental health
  • depression
  • emotional struggle
  • crisis
Q2

What causes the fight between Nick and Russell?

After Nick confides in Cal about his emotional struggles and suicidal thoughts, Russell learns about it and confronts Nick physically later that day. The fight represents the breakdown of their friendship and reflects the escalating tensions among the group, possibly related to secrets Nick was keeping about Russell's infidelity warning.

Foreshadowing: Russell warned Nick not to tell Eliza about his infidelity, establishing a tense dynamic between them.

  • Russell
  • fight
  • confrontation
  • secrets
  • betrayal
Q3

Why does Nick leave New York at the end of the film?

Nick leaves New York because his mother is making progress in her rehabilitation, and Cal emphasizes that Nick needs to stay in New York to support her journey. However, his departure is bittersweet, he has grown through his experiences in the city but must leave behind the connections he's made, including his complicated relationship with Eliza.

Foreshadowing: Cal tells Nick early on that his mother needs him to stay in New York while she recovers.

  • departure
  • farewell
  • mother
  • rehabilitation
  • growth
Q4

What is Nick's relationship with Eliza like?

Nick meets Eliza at school and they form a connection rooted in their mutual love for music. They share intimate conversations and moments throughout the film, including a romantic encounter interrupted by teenagers and a tender moment near the end. However, Eliza remains somewhat mysterious to Nick, and their relationship ends with a wistful separation as he leaves the city.

Foreshadowing: Their first meeting is marked by Eliza's mysterious aura, which continues to intrigue Nick throughout the film.

  • Eliza
  • romance
  • music
  • connection
  • mystery
Q5

Why does Nick use substances in the movie?

When Nick enters the school restroom looking for solace, he instead meets Seamus and Russell who introduce him to substance use. He participates in their drug use during the fateful Friday night when Russell acquires illicit substances from a street vendor. This reflects Nick's search for escape and belonging among his new friends.

Foreshadowing: The timeline explicitly states Nick was seeking solace in substance use when he first meets Seamus and Russell.

  • drugs
  • substances
  • Seamus
  • Russell
  • escape
Q6

What betrayal does Nick discover from Seamus?

Nick discovers Seamus engaging in a betrayal in the school restroom the day after their wild night. This follows Russell's earlier hint about infidelity at the fast-food restaurant. The discovery shakes Nick's perception of trust within his friend group, adding to his emotional turmoil.

Foreshadowing: Russell alluded to infidelity at the fast-food joint, warning Nick not to tell Eliza.

  • Seamus
  • betrayal
  • trust
  • infidelity
  • friend group
Q7

What does the title The Cat and the Moon represent?

The title likely references the nocturnal, reflective nature of Nick's journey. The moon symbolizes introspection and emotional darkness, while the cat represents the nocturnal, independent journey through New York's nighttime streets. The film heavily features nighttime scenes, parties, and the night-time rhythms of the city that mirror Nick's internal struggles.

  • title
  • meaning
  • symbolism
  • moon
  • cat
  • night
Q8

What is Cal's role in Nick's life in New York?

Cal is an old friend of Nick's father who takes Nick in while his mother undergoes rehabilitation. He provides Nick with housing and a sense of stability. Cal becomes a trusted figure to whom Nick eventually confides his emotional struggles, though this leads to the confrontation with Russell.

Foreshadowing: Nick's move to New York is explicitly to stay with Cal, his father's friend.

  • Cal
  • father's friend
  • housing
  • support
  • mentor
Q9

How does Nick's mother's addiction affect him?

Nick's mother's addiction is the central trauma driving the film. As she embarks on her rehabilitation journey, Nick is sent to New York, leaving his support system behind. Her absence and struggle contribute significantly to Nick's feelings of abandonment, isolation, and suicidal ideation. Cal informs Nick of her progress, which ultimately requires Nick to remain in New York.

  • mother
  • addiction
  • rehabilitation
  • family
  • absence
Q10

What is the significance of the party scenes in the film?

The party scenes represent Nick's attempts to find connection and escape his emotional pain. At the party, he reconnects with Eliza and deepens their bond through shared music and childhood memories. These scenes also introduce the problematic elements, substance use and infidelity discussions, that contribute to Nick's downward spiral.

  • party
  • connection
  • music
  • escape
  • social

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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