"Cat People," released in 1982, offers a contemporary reimagining of the earlier film from 1942. Nastassja Kinski and Malcolm McDowell portray siblings burdened with a curse—they transform into were-panthers when sexually stimulated. Their only path back to humanity involves taking another human life. The premise is undeniably strange and fantastical, yet "Cat People" treats it with complete sincerity. John Heard portrays a zoo manager who develops feelings for Kinski’s character, while Annette O'Toole completes the romantic dynamic. The film has an undeniable pull and possesses considerable style. For example, the flashback segments depicting an ancient panther tribe performing rituals in an orange desert are dreamlike and fascinating; Giorgio Moroder’s atmospheric score enhances the overall feeling, as does David Bowie’s theme song. Although both elements clearly mark them as products of the 1980s, they feel surprisingly enduring and appropriate for the story. Kinski and McDowell convincingly embody their feline roles. McDowell, predictably, exudes a peculiar and sinister presence. John Heard is adequate in his role as the leading man, and O'Toole is strikingly beautiful. Kinski herself is quite appealing, notably in the scene where she fishes with Heard while wearing hot pants and wader boots, but O’Toole manages to overshadow her somewhat, especially during the pool scene. The film does a wonderful job of highlighting the New Orleans area and its Southern Gothic atmosphere. It's important to remember that this is a horror movie and can be quite intense at times. Also, viewers sensitive to nudity should be aware that several characters appear completely or nearly nude. The runtime is just under two hours, and filming took place primarily in the New Orleans region, with some portions completed in Los Angeles—such as studio work and the sequence involving the panther tree. GRADE: B+/A-

Source on TMDB