Sundance review: 'Cat Person,' based on a New Yorker story, is a hilarious and harrowing take on the modern dating scene

The dangers of modern dating — particularly for young women — are laid out for all to see in “Cat Person,” a comedy-drama that pivots from cringe-inducing comedy to terrifying nightmare with remarkable force and subtlety.

Margot (Emilia Jones) is a 20-year-old college student, studying archaeology from a renowned professor (Isabella Rossellini), and working nights at the concession stand of a repertory movie theater. It’s at the theater where Margot meets Robert (Nicholas Braun, from “Succession”), a regular customer with a penchant for Red Vines and Harrison Ford. 

Things start off nicely with occasional text exchanges, which get serious enough that Margot’s militant feminist dorm mate, Taylor (Geraldine Viswanathan), warns that things are moving too fast. The texts get even more serious when Margot goes home over fall break, and texts a slightly naughty photo. This is all before they go on their first date.

That first date happens, and something seems a bit off. Margot notices the bad vibe, but carries on with the date in spite of her qualms — and soon, Margot and Robert are having sex.

This is the pivot point of the movie, which director Susanna Fogel (“The Spy Who Dumped Me”) and screenwriter Michelle Ashford adapt from Kristen Roupenian’s short story, which went viral after it was published in The New Yorker. The movie leads with Margaret Atwood’s famous quote — “Men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them.” — and uses Margot’s apprehension about dating Robert to make that case play out onscreen.

Fogel masterfully places the viewer in Margot’s head, as her fears and second-guessing play out with every text and personal encounter with Robert. There’s also some pointed commentary — mostly through Viswanathan’s character — about the power women can wield in the dating world, if they only choose to do so.

Jones, in her first major role since the Oscar-winning “CODA” came through the virtual Sundance 2021, is charming and compelling as Margot, a coltish college sophomore riding that line between flirty dating and serious relationships. Fogel and Ashford play with the platforms for Margot’s anxieties, and by letting her examine what’s real and what’s imagined, they give Jones the space to explore Margot’s complex thoughts about dating in the 21st century. 

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‘Cat Person’ 

★★★1/2

Playing in the Premieres section of the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Screens again Sunday, Jan. 22, 10 p.m., Rose Wagner Center, Salt Lake City; Wednesday, Jan. 25, 8:45 a.m., Library Center Theatre, Park City; Friday, Jan. 27, 9:15 p.m., Grand Theatre, Salt Lake City; Saturday, Jan. 28, 9 p.m., The Ray Theatre, Park City; Sunday, Jan. 29, 5:10 p.m., Megaplex Theatres at The Gateway, Salt Lake City. Also screening online on the Sundance Film Festival platform, starting Tuesday, Jan. 24. Not rated, but probably R for strong sexual content, violence and language. Running time: 120 minutes.