If you’re embracing the eerie vibes of October, you’ll be pleased to discover that Amazon Prime Video’s latest movie lineup features some exciting, spooky, and often overlooked films ideal for your Halloween festivities.
This month, Watch With Us is highlighting Cat People, an erotic horror classic from 1982, that you won’t want to miss.
Continue reading to find out why our team adores this bewitching and provocative film — and why it deserves a spot on your October 2025 viewing list.
An Original Creature Feature That Uniquely Defies the Sea of Reboots
In a world where films like It, Nosferatu, and Frankenstein are frequently re-envisioned, and original ideas seem increasingly rare, it’s refreshing to revisit a film (and a creature) that is entirely its own. Cat People introduces us to werecats, individuals who can morph into panthers.
The protagonist, Irena Gallier (Nastassja Kinski), grows up in foster care, distanced from her older brother, Paul (Malcolm McDowell), and oblivious to her family’s feline lineage. As she journeys to New Orleans as an adult to reconnect with Paul, she uncovers the unsettling transformations that afflict her lineage — along with the peculiar sexual tension intertwined with these changes.
It Boldly Explores Sexuality in a Shocking, Truly Erotic Horror Experience
In Cat People, the transformations into werecats are inexorably tied to both desire and danger — Paul morphs whenever he engages sexually with a human, and the only method of reverting is through homicide. When Irena encounters Oliver (John Heard), an undeniable chemistry sparks between them, yet she refrains from deepening their bond, petrified of the potential consequences. At the same time, Paul becomes increasingly fixated on Irena, believing she is his destined mate.
Unlike other monster flicks, which often veil sexuality in metaphor, Cat People embraces it unreservedly, presenting the notion that intimacy can drastically alter a relationship — and that every interaction is transformed by its presence. While its themes are overt, it’s a breath of fresh air to see an ’80s horror movie address sexuality so openly, without cloaking it in pretense.
It’s a Perfect Choice for October Viewing
The practical effects in Cat People may not be groundbreaking, but they possess a haunting, atmospheric quality that draws viewers in. The rusty and vivid color palette envelops the audience starting from the very opening scene, in which Irena and Paul’s ancestors offer a human sacrifice to a leopard, casting a surreal and disquieting shadow over every subsequent moment of the film.
For those seeking to wow their friends with a lesser-known horror gem this Halloween, Cat People could be your ideal choice this month.
