The Ones Below (2015)

Starring: Dave and Sydney

Directed by: David Farr

This review contains an Implied Kitty Carnage Warning!

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

Synopsis: Kate (Clémence Poésy) and Justin (Stephen Campbell Moore) are expecting their first child, as is their new downstairs neighbors Theresa (Laura Birn) and Jon (David Morrissey), until tragedy leads to strained relations.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): Kate and Justin own an absolutely gorgeous torbie cat who is waiting in the upper window as they approach their duplex near the beginning of the film.

The Ones Below - torbie cat sitting in window

The cat, who does not have a name in the movie, sits on the couch as Kate is doing her computer work.

The Ones Below - torbie cat sitting on couch in room with Kate Clémence Poésy

The Ones Below - torbie cat sitting on couch in sun

When Kate gets up for a drink in the middle of the night, the cat meows and she stops to pet him.

The Ones Below - torbie cat being petted on head by Kate Clémence Poésy

The cat becomes somewhat pivotal to the plot when Theresa and Jon are over for dinner and get upset with Kate and Justin. Theresa hurries out the door into the darkened hall where the cat is waiting to be let in. She ends up startled by the cat and tripping over her shoes on the front step, falling down the stairs.

The Ones Below - torbie cat outside of door

Theresa loses the baby and this causes a very strained relationship between the two couples. Theresa and Jon go away for a while. Kate takes comfort in the presence of the cat.

The Ones Below - torbie cat lying on couch in room with Kate Clémence Poésy

The Ones Below - torbie cat on table with Kate Clémence Poésy

When Theresa and Jon return it’s after Kate has had her baby. They insist they have let go of their anger about losing their own child, but they still react with horror when the cat approaches them.

The Ones Below - torbie cat approaching legs on floor

The Ones Below - torbie cat walking through room

The cat is often making some very serious biscuits in a blanket when on the couch!

The Ones Below - torbie cat sitting on couch making biscuits

The Ones Below - torbie cat on couch making biscuits animated gif

As the film progresses, Kate thinks Jon and Theresa are gaslighting her, making her crazy.

The Ones Below - torbie cat sitting on couch with Kate Clémence Poésy

Kate witnesses the cat approaching Theresa in the background. Theresa actually hisses at the cat, making him move away from her.

The Ones Below - torbie cat approaching Therese Laura Birn on lawn chair

The Ones Below - torbie cat walking away from Therese Laura Birn on lawn chair

Implied Kitty Carnage Warning! This is the last time the cat is actually seen. He disappears for the rest of the film and while no violence to the cat is shown on screen it is strongly suggested that he is used in place of the baby in the final plot twist, which does not bode well for the cat.

Dave and Sydney, the cat actors on the film, were provided by Cats from Charlotte Wilde.