10 Horror Remakes Everyone Expected To Suck (But Didn't)
5. Cat People
When a 40-years-later remake of RKO's beloved 1942 horror film Cat People was announced, there was a lot of skepticism about the prospect of remaking a bonafide genre classic.
But leave it to the great Paul Schrader to deliver a totally singular and unexpected remix of the original erotic horror story, taking the implication and innuendo of the '42 film and turning it inside out.
The Cat People remake is explicit and very, very grim in ways that its predecessor simply couldn't realise on screen due to the restrictions of the Hays Code at the time.
By comparison, Schrader's take is an untamed beast not unlike its central character.
In addition to its more permissive content, its gorgeous, colourful visuals stand in stark contrast to the original's monochrome style, and Nastassja Kinski's performance as the titular cat person is a sensual, unforgettable delight.
While Cat People '82 is far from universally liked, it is a remake that fully justifies its existence by going so much harder than its inspiration was ever able to.