Film distributor Rialto Pictures has released a trailer for Cat Person, the upcoming movie based on Kristen Roupenian’s viral 2017 New Yorker short story.
Roupenian’s story follows Margot, a college student who dates Robert, an older man who eventually reveals himself to be a creep. Published in the midst of the #MeToo movement, the story resonated with readers, becoming one of the magazine’s most-read stories. It was included in Roupenian’s debut collection, You Know You Want This, which was later republished as Cat Person and Other Stories.
The film adaptation is directed by Susanna Fogel (The Spy Who Dumped Me) and written for the screen by Michelle Ashford (Masters of Sex). Emilia Jones (CODA) stars as Margot, and Nicholas Braun (Succession) plays Robert.
At the beginning of the trailer, initially set to James King & Anders Lewén’s “I’ve Got Something,” Braun approaches Jones at the movie theater where she works. “Listen, Concession Stand Girl,” he says awkwardly. “Why don’t you give me your number?”
There’s a scene of Braun kissing Jones in an aggressive and unromantic manner, likely a reference to the divisive art that accompanied Roupenian’s story. Things then get creepy, as the music changes to Ely Eira’s “Monster,” and Jones is shown shopping for a knife. “What is the matter with you?” Braun asks her angrily. “You manipulated me!”
Cat Person will premiere in theaters on Oct. 6.
Michael Schaub, a journalist and regular contributor to NPR, lives near Austin, Texas.
