MEOW! (2025)

-Written by Kyle Bain.

Who knew selling feet pics could save lives?! Well, in Michel Vojtěch and Ariel De La Garza Davidoff’s MEOW!, the “lead” (Paige Janey) is forced to use her feet pics to barter for the life of her stolen cat. As she follows a deranged humpback (Raphael Ruiz) through the streets, she must contemplate the meaning of life and where allegiances lie. 

Technically, MEOW! is a gorgeous film that hits a series of effective and intriguing notes throughout. However, on the surface of this film is a wonky narrative that is emotionally unappealing. I don’t care about the lead’s feet pics (it’s a culture that I simply can’t wrap my head around), I don’t care about the stuffed cat that is meant to act as a stand in for the real cat until the film’s final scene, and I’m ultimately disinterested in what happens between the lead and the humpback. The characters are disagreeable, and at no point did I find myself ready to invest time or emotion into their journeys. MEOW! is far more than just its narrative, but it will certainly turn many viewers off before they have a chance to appreciate the nuances of what Vojtěch and De La Garza Davidoff create. 

Again, technically speaking MEOW! is a feast for the eyes and ears–as comprehensive and meticulously developed sets are brought to life and even the costume design (as bizarre as it may be) manages to tickle the brain just a bit. MEOW! manages to exist in a world that feels both modern and of the Italian Renaissance. A blend of cultures is sure to shock viewers, but the aforementioned writer-director duo manage to blend vastly different styles to create something that manages to work in a way that is appealing and immersive. Whoever laid the groundwork for this mashup is wild, but an outside-the-box thinker nonetheless. I found the setting of this film to be intriguing, and, again–it’s a testament to the technical prowess of MEOW! and its team. 

The score is fluid, almost ocean-like. It flows from start to finish with interestingly calming tones that juxtapose what is meant to be a heavy and dramatic narrative. The most immersive aspect of MEOW! is this score, creating something cohesive and calming to act as the backdrop of a zany, and relatively underwhelming film. While the narrative doesn’t appeal to me, and I couldn’t have cared less about the unappealing characters, it’s meant to be dramatic, suspenseful. That’s important to note when considering the calming nature of the score. It reminds me of something one might listen to as they sleep–as some sort of meditative practice. Regardless of whether the narrative appeals to viewers emotionally or not, I believe it’s fair to say that it runs the risk of being antagonistic–and the score plays a pivotal role in ensuring that emotions don’t run too hot, and that MEOW! remains as even keeled as possible throughout. 

MEOW! is something like a fever dream–a metaphor for what the world is, but twisted and contorted into something far more grotesque. As the film barrels forward, pulling viewers through a world of unique tragedy and chaos–we are subjected to a relatively shallow narrative that holds little weight. However, as I’ve repeatedly stated, the technical aspects of MEOW! are what most appeal to viewers, and I truly believe that Vojtěch and De La Garza Davidoff wanted to create a film that is immersive in this way, rather than sacrificing technical prowess for a more compelling narrative. 

Written & Directed by Michel Vojtěch & Ariel De La Garza Davidoff.

Starring Paige Janey & Raphael Ruiz. 

8.5/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING