The Rule of Jenny Pen (2024)

by Linda Kay

Starring: Marbles

Directed by: James Ashcroft

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

Synopsis: After Judge Stefan Mortensen (Geoffrey Rush) suffers a stroke he ends up in a nursing home where the residents are being tortured by psychotic resident Dave Crealy (John Lithgow) who channels some of his personality through a puppet named Jenny Pen.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): The nursing home has a resident longhair calico cat named Pluto whom one man warns the Judge about, saying her presence often portends the death of whoever she focuses upon. Pluto is sitting by a large picture window as the Judge witnesses a shocking tragedy.

The Rule of Jenny Pen - Judge Mortensen Geoffrey Rush in wheelchair approaching longhair calico cat Pluto Marbles by window

The Rule of Jenny Pen - longhair calico cat Pluto Marbles by window

The Rule of Jenny Pen - Judge Mortensen Geoffrey Rush in wheelchair approaching longhair calico cat Pluto Marbles by window animated gif

The Rule of Jenny Pen - man in wheelchair with longhair calico cat Pluto Marbles looking out window

The Rule of Jenny Pen - longhair calico cat Pluto Marbles looking at fire through window

One shot shows two residents quickly moving away from Pluto as she jumps into a chair to relax.

The Rule of Jenny Pen - longhair calico cat Pluto Marbles jumping into chair with two nursing home residents

The Rule of Jenny Pen - longhair calico cat Pluto Marbles jumping into chair with two nursing home residents moving away animated gif

Most of the time Pluto is just wandering the halls, often hiding or being cautious during Crealy’s nightly rounds of terror.

The Rule of Jenny Pen - longhair calico cat Pluto Marbles crossing hallway and Crealy John Lithgow

The Rule of Jenny Pen - longhair calico cat Pluto Marbles looking around corner

Crealy targets dementia patient Eunice (Hilary Norris) who pauses to pet the kitty.

The Rule of Jenny Pen - Crealy John Lithgow approaching Eunice Hillary Norris petting longhair calico cat Pluto Marbles

Pluto continues to roam the hall, still avoiding Crealy.

The Rule of Jenny Pen - longhair calico cat Pluto Marbles walking down hallway

The Rule of Jenny Pen - longhair calico cat Pluto Marbles crouched under table

In the end Pluto has a notable moment we won’t spoil here.

The Rule of Jenny Pen - longhair calico cat Pluto Marbles sitting beside wheelchair

Pluto was played by cat actor Marbles who was handled by Rebecca McKay (who is also involved with animal rescue in New Zealand) along with assistant handler Alee Smallman. Rosie Mills acted as the Animal Coordinator for the film.