Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- eerie
- paranoid
- foreboding
- classic horror night
- giallo marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard it as a solidly entertaining Argento giallo elevated by its cast and distinctive visual style.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Franco Arno's blindness shapes how he overhears clues, navigates danger, and contributes to the murder investigation.
The investigation begins outside a medical institute conducting genetic experiments, whose hidden activity connects to the crimes.
Arno and reporter Carlo Giordani follow fragmented leads while the killer remains hidden and their lives come under threat.
The overheard conversation, Arno's sensory perspective, and recurring eye-related imagery make perception a recurring source of tension.
Films like The Cat o' Nine Tails, and why
Deep Red
shared giallo whodunit structure, serial-killer investigation, stylish suspense, and paranoia
Bird with the Crystal Plumage
shared Italian giallo tradition, investigative mystery, escalating killings, and distinctive visual style
The Bird with the Crystal Plumage
shared psychological thriller atmosphere, stalker menace, murder investigation, and elaborate mystery plotting
Movie Details
- Director
- Dario Argento
- Release Date
- 1971-02-12
- Runtime
- 112 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (464)
Cast
- James Franciscus
- Karl Malden
- Catherine Spaak
- Pier Paolo Capponi
- Horst Frank
- Rada Rassimov
- Aldo Reggiani
- Carlo Alighiero
- Vittorio Congia
- Ugo Fangareggi
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Philo, Fandor, Night Flight Plus, Fandor Amazon Channel, Screambox Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel, Artiflix, ARROW
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Cat o' Nine Tails about?
- A blind crossword writer and a determined reporter probe a medical institute’s secrets while a serial killer closes in around them.
- What is The Cat o' Nine Tails like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Cat o' Nine Tails as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Cat o' Nine Tails violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Cat o' Nine Tails as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Cat o' Nine Tails?
- Critics broadly regard it as a solidly entertaining Argento giallo elevated by its cast and distinctive visual style.
- Which films are like The Cat o' Nine Tails?
- Films with a similar feel include Deep Red, Bird with the Crystal Plumage, and The Bird with the Crystal Plumage.
- How long is The Cat o' Nine Tails?
- The Cat o' Nine Tails runs 112 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Cat o' Nine Tails?
- In United States, The Cat o' Nine Tails streams on Amazon Prime Video, Philo, Fandor, Night Flight Plus, Fandor Amazon Channel, Screambox Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel, Artiflix, ARROW.
