Cat
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Cat
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Cat is a thriller about an ex-police informant trying to save his brother from prison. There's no shortage of violence: graphic death scenes, gun violence, fistfighting, and brutal bloodshed. Organized crime is a theme. There are scenes showing explicit drug use (heroin, cocaine, etc.), wild partying and concerts, drinking, and smoking cigarettes. Drug deals are a large focus of income. Strong language includes "damn," "d--k," "f--k," and "son of a bitch." Characters are seen passionately making out, and there are clothed sex scenes. The production and cast is Indian. There are a few women in the (corrupt) police force and as a (corrupt) politician in power; overall, though, the cast is majority male. There are a few discussions about governmental corruption and classism.
What's the Story?
In the 1990s, Gurnam Singh (Randeep Hooda) was an informant for the Punjab police, otherwise known as a Cat. Once he completed his mission, he retired to a life as a caregiver for his siblings and a motor mechanic. Now it's 2006, and Punjab is overrun with drugs, police misconduct, and government corruption. To make matters worse, Gurnam's younger brother is arrested for drug trafficking. Desperate, Gurnam turns to inspector Sehtab Singh (Suvinder Vicky) for help on the inside. Singh agrees, but on one condition: Gurnam must put his normal life on hold and go back under as a Cat. What will he uncover from his past, and will he be able to return to "normal life" again?
Is It Any Good?
This show has a lot of potentially intriguing moving parts and connecting storylines, so it comes across as convoluted at times. But Cat uses its actors well, and in particular Randeep Hooda delivers a volatile, vulnerable, and fragile performance as Gurnam. Viewers who enjoy a genre mix of action, political corruption, and thriller would enjoy hunkering down for this. The graphic violence, language, and drug use make it unsuitable for younger viewers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why it's interesting to explore what happens when "good people" do bad things for survival. Is Gurnam's behavior in Cat justified?
How are drug trafficking, crime, and corruption affecting the people of Punjab? What causes these problems?
TV Details
- Premiere date: December 9, 2022
- Cast: Randeep Hooda, Suvinder Vicky, Pramod Pathak
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Drama
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: January 1, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
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The Punisher
Intense, brutal violence and language in dark drama.
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Narcos
Brutally violent drug drama is terrific, not for kids.
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Ozark
Dark drama has loads of drugs, violence, sex, cartel crime.
For kids who love thrillers
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