Cat Person: Emilia Jones & Nicholas Braun Discuss Filming the Bad Kiss & Viral Short Story

There was a lot of buzz at this year’s Sundance Film Festival for Susanna Fogel’s Cat Person, starring Emilia Jones and Nicholas Braun. Based on Kristen Roupenian’s remarkably viral New Yorker short story of the same name, Cat Person is an unsettling look at dating as it’s evolved with technology, or devolved in some cases. These uneasy encounters are, unfortunately, all too common, but Jones – who attended Sundance for both this and Fairyland – and Succession’s Braun give new life to these two modern-day archetypes.

Jones plays Margot, a 20-year-old college student working the concession of an old movie theater part-time. One evening, on a whim, she strikes up a brief conversation with an older and somewhat odd regular, Robert (Braun), allowing him the confidence to pursue more flirtation the next time he comes in. Their banter leads to a string of texts in which Robert exudes a confidence he lacks face-to-face. As their relationship progresses, Cat Person, like the short story that inspired it, explores the ways awkward and uncomfortable can tip the scales to outright disturbing. The movie also features Geraldine Viswanathan and Isabella Rossellini.

Following the screening of Cat Person, Jones, Braun, and Fogel stopped by the Collider Studio in City Park. During their interview with Collider’s Steve Weintraub, they discuss how screenwriter Michelle Ashford expanded on the viral short story to adapt to film, fleshing out Robert’s characterization, and why Cat Person is so relatable and makes a good movie adaptation. They talk about how the movie addresses the woman’s perspective and experience, break down the characters’ feelings and insecurities, and dig into that “really, really, really bad” kiss. The trio also share how they choreographed and filmed the very vulnerable sex scene and discuss working with an intimacy coordinator to feel safe and comfortable. Fogel and Jones brief us on their next film together, Winner, while Braun teases Succession Season 4.

#EmiliaJones #NicholasBraun #CatPerson #SusannaFogel

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