The Woman in the Window (2021)

Directed by: Joe Wright

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

Synopsis: Anna Fox (Amy Adams) is an agoraphobic woman who watches her neighbors from her window, only to see things that lead everyone to question her sanity.

Featured Feline: Anna owns a white Persian cat named Punch who is seen throughout the film.

The Woman in the Window - white Persian cat Punch

The Woman in the Window - white Persian cat Punch walking through house animated gif

A young man named Ethan (Fred Hechinger) has just moved into the house across the street and pays Anna a visit. He pets Punch as the cat licks his fingers. “I like cats’ tongues,” he states.

The Woman in the Window - white Persian cat Punch licking fingers

The Woman in the Window - white Persian cat Punch licking the fingers of Ethan Fred Hechinger animated gif

As Ethan leaves, he apologizes to Punch for being allergic to him. “Why didn’t you say something?” Anna asks. “I didn’t want to offend him,” Ethan explains. “He’s not that sensitive,” Anna assures him.

The Woman in the Window - white Persian cat Punch on stairs with Ethan Fred Hechinger

Punch is sitting at the kitchen island with Anna and Ethan’s mother (Julianne Moore), while they are having some drinks. Anna snaps a photo of Punch.

The Woman in the Window - white Persian cat Punch on stool at counter with Anna Amy Adams and Julianne Moore

The Woman in the Window - white Persian cat Punch on stool at counter with wine glasses

Ethan’s mother even draws a picture of Anna with Punch.

The Woman in the Window - drawing of Anna with Punch

Punch continues to be present in many scenes.

The Woman in the Window - white Persian cat Punch sitting on lap of Anna Amy Adams

The Woman in the Window - white Persian cat Punch on table

The Woman in the Window - white Persian cat Punch being kissed by Anna Amy Adams

The Woman in the Window - white Persian cat Punch on counter

The Woman in the Window - white Persian cat Punch on counter through doorway

Punch seems to be slightly judging Anna when things start spiraling out of control.

The Woman in the Window - white Persian cat Punch looking at Anna Amy Adams animated gif

The Woman in the Window - white Persian cat Punch on table with Anna Amy Adams

And Punch somehow gets into the apartment of the downstairs tennant, David (Wyatt Russell) where he is lying under the bed licking his paw.

The Woman in the Window - white Persian cat Punch under bed licking paw

Later Anna sees Punch limping and she runs to his aid.

The Woman in the Window - white Persian cat Punch on floor

The Woman in the Window - white Persian cat Punch on floor with Anna Amy Adams

It isn’t until Anna revisits the photo of Punch she understands what is happening (as much as is possible in this convoluted story). Apparently the villain mentions something about the cat’s foot which tips off Anna to their being inside her house, but I honestly didn’t pick up on that when I watched the movie (in the book the cat’s leg is broken to keep the animal from following the villain around while they’re stalking Anna). This is so underplayed in the film it doesn’t even warrant a Kitty Carnage Warning.