Earwig (2021)

by Mark Murton

Directed by: Lucile Hadžihalilović

This review contains a Severe Kitty Carnage Warning!

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: In an unidentified European country in the mid-20th century, a man, Albert Scellinc (Paul Hilton), is employed to look after Mia (Romane Hemelaers), a girl with teeth made of ice that have to be replaced on a regular basis. Mia never leaves their house, where the telephone rings regularly and the Master enquires after Mia’s wellbeing. Then Albert receives a call to say he must prepare the child to leave.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): As she grows Mia’s teeth no longer fit and a dentist (Michael Pas) arrives to fit her with permanent glass ones. He also brings with him a basket containing a black cat which Mia takes to her room.

Earwig - Mia Romane Hemelaers sitting on bed with black cat on lap

When Albert comes to collect her for the operation the cat glares up at him.

Earwig - black cat looking angry

He instructs Mia to come with him but she continues to smooth the cat.

Earwig - Mia Romane Hemelaers sitting on bed petting black cat on lap

Albert goes to take the cat from her but backs off when it hisses violently at him.

Earwig - black cat hissing

Mia returns the cat to its basket and takes it to the operating room with her.

Earwig - Mia Romane Hemelaers placing black cat in carrier

Severe Kitty Carnage Warning! After the operation is over and Mia has been taken back to her room Albert sets about scrubbing down the operating table. As he works the cat makes increasingly distressed noises from its basket. Unable to stand the cacophony Albert seizes the basket and roughly removes the cat by the scruff. Then in a truly disturbing scene, which is made worse by the sounds emanating from the clearly distressed / terrified cat, Albert snatches the poor animal from the carrier by its scruff. He proceeds to grasp the animal by the throat and appears intent on wringing its neck but eventually releases his grip after being repeatedly bitten and scratched. While the way the scene is filmed may exaggerate the actual violence against the cat, a real cat actor is being handled roughly throughout and the scruffing is all too real.

Earwig - black cat being throttled

At the end of the film Albert and Mia embark on a train journey to Paris where he is to hand over the girl. During the journey the cat sits on Mia’s lap, eyeing Albert warily.

Earwig - black cat sitting on lap

After Albert has delivered Mia to her new guardians he goes to leave and sees the cat standing in the hallway between him and the door.

Earwig - black cat standing in hallway

As Albert approaches the door the cat not surprisingly darts out of the way while letting out a throaty growl.

Earwig - black cat darting away from Albert

After Albert exits the house the cat watches as he walks away.

Earwig - black cat watching Albert walk away

Final Mewsings: Thank goodness cats have strong teeth (and claws) to defend themselves!

Relevant Links:

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