The Unsettling Logic of a Cat's Death in 'Obsession'

The horror film 'Obsession,' now available on Peacock, has drawn criticism for a pivotal plot point: the death of the main character Bear's cat, Sandy. Critics argue that the circumstances surrounding the cat's demise strain credulity and are not logically sound within the film's narrative.

In the early scenes of the movie, directed and written by Curry Barker, Bear (Michael Johnston) discovers Sandy lifeless on his kitchen floor. The scene depicts an open bottle of prescription painkillers, labeled "Do Not Eat!!!," spilled alongside bowls of cat food. The implication is that Sandy ingested the medication, leading to its death. However, the sequence of events has been questioned for its plausibility.

One significant point of contention is the depiction of the cat accessing and consuming the pills. The film shows cans of wet food with lids partially peeled back, leading to speculation that the cat itself opened them. Critics point out that cats lack opposable thumbs, making this action unlikely. Furthermore, if the medication was stored in a medicine cabinet, as a later shot might suggest, the idea of a cat accessing and opening it, then spilling the pills into its food, is presented as a highly improbable scenario.

Even with more charitable interpretations, such as the pills being left out or the possibility of Bear's own drug use, the act of a cat willingly ingesting pills, particularly those with a bitter taste like OxyContin, is considered unrealistic. Anecdotal evidence suggests cats are notoriously difficult to medicate and will often avoid or spit out pills, even when concealed in food.

While some viewers have proposed elaborate fan theories about the cat's death, including the possibility of Bear's direct involvement or supernatural influences, the prevailing critique is that the scene serves as a narrative device to establish sympathy for Bear and set a horror tone, rather than being a logically sound event. The film reportedly includes a magical element, but the explanation for the cat's death is seen as failing to adhere to its own internal logic, a point of frustration for some viewers who feel the plot point was not thoroughly considered by the filmmakers.