Party Monster (2003)

Directed by: Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato

This review contains a Kitty Carnage Warning!

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

Synopsis: Based on the true story of Michael Alig (Macaulay Culkin), the force behind the New York Club Kid scene who was later convicted of murder.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): Michael meets a young DJ named Keoki (Wilmer Valderrama) at a club and they leave together in a taxi. They later run away from the cab driver without paying and hide in a dumpster. After making out they realize there is a ginger tabby cat inside the dumpster with them.

Party Monster - Michael Alig Macauley Culkin and Keoki Wilmer Valderrama in dumpster with ginger tabby cat Skrinkle

“It’s our love child,” Michael cooes, “We’ll call him Skrinkle.”

Party Monster - Michael Alig Macauley Culkin and Keoki Wilmer Valderrama in dumpster with ginger tabby cat Skrinkle

The narrator, James (Seth Green), explains how this was only the beginning, that Skrinkle begat Skroddle and this led to a whole language where Michael would let people know if you were in or out of his favor by calling them a Skrink or a Skrod. Apparently this was not meant literally, as Skroddle is a word used for the lifestyle of the Club Kids.

Party Monster - Michael Alig Macauley Culkin and Keoki Wilmer Valderrama with ginger tabby cat Skrinkle
Party Monster - Michael Alig Macauley Culkin and Keoki Wilmer Valderrama with ginger tabby cat Skrinkle

Skrinkle is seen in Michael’s apartment several times after this.

Party Monster - Michael Alig Macauley Culkin and Keoki Wilmer Valderrama with ginger tabby cat Skrinkle
Party Monster - ginger tabby cat Skrinkle
Party Monster - ginger tabby cat Skrinkle eating off floor

Kitty Carnage Warning! In one scene Michael is sharing Keoki’s cocaine with Skrinkle, who is lapping it up. The drug doesn’t have any obvious effect on the cat in the scene (and obviously they weren’t giving the cat actor real drugs.)

Party Monster - ginger tabby cat Skrinkle licking cocaine from finger
Party Monster - ginger tabby cat Skrinkle licking cocaine from finger
Party Monster - Michael Alig Macauley Culkin with ginger tabby cat Skrinkle on bed

Unfortunately Keoki returns near the end of the film to find Michael in bed with the deceased Skrinkle. All we see of the cat is its head and ear, and it would appear a fake cat was used for this scene.

Party Monster - Michael Alig Macauley Culkin lying with deceased ginger tabby cat Skrinkle

Michael then looks through several photos of himself, Keoki and Skrinkle.

Party Monster - photograph of ginger tabby cat Skrinkle

Final Mewsings: Most cats will let you know sooner when they’re in a dumpster with you.

Many thanks to Sis Cyn for letting me know about the cat in this film!

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