DON'T FEED THE CAT - HORROR SHORT FILM

Chloe (Ryan Lucy) finds a cat trapped in her sick grandfather's basement.
WEBSITE: jzacharythurman...
INSTAGRAM: @j.zacharythurman

[@priyanshuraha]

It was so disturbing for me seeing her putting fingers under the door.. i felt the ghost will bite off her finger while she was doing that. I knew what was coming in the end but i still got jumpscared. Great job ! I liked it a lot😇❤🐱

[@j.zacharythurman]

🙏🏻 Thank you!

[@keepgoing1973]

Well done for spoiler.

[@priyanshuraha]

@@keepgoing1973 Thanks 🐱

[@IreneAgathe]

Same for me !

[@JTauruian09]

It wasn’t a ghost

[@darkknight3326]

I love how you can tell the footsteps are too heavy to be a cat at the end. Really helps sell the sense of dread with such a small detail. Also the grandpa freaking out over the phone when they discuss the “cat” is a nice touch

[@lifeiscats1337]

Yeah he just wants his granddaughter to be ok and obviously knows a lot more than he should about the “kitty”

[@oxymoron02]

I love how you can tell the footsteps are too heavy for a cat and the protagonist still does what ruins 99% of all horror for me, and acts like a fucking dumbass who has no ability to think logically. Seriously, horror should be a dead genre, for how braindead characters are in the vast majority of lazily written stories.

[@lifeiscats1337]

Also at 2:40 that huge crash against the door couldn’t possibly just be a cat.

[@nadu6640]

​@@lifeiscats1337 Jajajaja nunca tuviste un gato si, en un momento de sus locuritas, no te golpeó una puerta de esa manera 😂..

[@duanecrump4831]

I haven't had a good jump scare like that in a long time. I love these short horror stories. They concentrate on scaring and not gore. Loved it.

[@Mimi89_7]

My heart was in the ass lol

[@GossipGarbage]

@@Mimi89_7 😂😂😂😂

[@madnessbydesign1415]

Nice production values, and the actress was quite good. Even the phone calls were done well. A great example of how a small budget film can still tell a good story. Kudos to all! :)

[@j.zacharythurman]

Awww thank you so much! We worked hard on this one and we’ll try to make the next even better for you!

[@madnessbydesign1415]

@@j.zacharythurman The praise was well deserved! I look forward to your next one... :)

[@JessicaMcGowan-bu4ls]

and the place was such an icky dump

[@JessicaMcGowan-bu4ls]

The fingers under the door was cringe worthy as in O-U-C-H.

[@juliez16]

moral of the story for any horror movie/short: *IF A SIGN TELLS YOU RULES FOR SOMETHING, DO NOT DISOBEY IT.*

[@chocobiechocolate1478]

It just simple fucking rule. Dont feed the cat😢 and she didnt even see the cat, how she become so fooled

[@phoebebaby4609]

SO TRUE

[@photographyinspiration]

Yup just follow through

[@JessicaMcGowan-bu4ls]

Don't you hate when people just can't leave something alone?!

[@lifeiscats1337]

Yeah take it from that woman from the top post on r/nosleep. If you have a set of rules, DO NOT DISOBEY THEM AT ALL COSTS!!!!!

[@601studios8]

That was genuinely one of the best short films I've seen on KZbin. It looked so professional, the acting was great, and I even jumped for the last jump scare, which I rarely, if ever, do with these short films on KZbin. Congratulations, and keep up the good work! Also, when she opened the door, was I the only one who got Barbarian vibes?

[@j.zacharythurman]

Thank you so much! This means a lot to me and the entire crew (including the "cat") 🙏🏻 Barbarian's poster def. inspired the shot looking up 👍🏻

[@601studios8]

@@j.zacharythurman no problem! Would love to see what you do next

[@601studios8]

@Zach Seets honestly I didn't think it was either

[@j.zacharythurman]

@Zach Seets I don’t think grandpa was the cat person in the family …. But meemaw (grandma) on the other hand…. 😉

[@Oakleaf700]

@@j.zacharythurman That was fucking terrifying! Well done! {I really jumped out of my skin}

[@anthraxdonuts]

"grandpa's acting up, i gotta go" 😅😂no, peepaw was tryna warn yall asses

[@j.zacharythurman]

So glad you got this! hahaha

[@anthraxdonuts]

@@j.zacharythurman you are so very talented and I love your sense of humor. I have a film group and found "Furry Nights" and showed it. We were all howling lol no pun intended

[@j.zacharythurman]

@@anthraxdonuts this message just made my day! Good pun btw 😂 Furry Nights! Ah. What a throwback! Thank you so much and hope I can give you “Revenge of the Furries” one day soon 🙃

[@anthraxdonuts]

@@j.zacharythurman Revenge of the Furries would be awesome! 😂

[@lifeiscats1337]

@@anthraxdonutshaha what are we talking about?

[@graysonsebert23]

That was SO good! I was not expecting that ending! The acting was very good as was the pacing and soundscape. It looked very professional as well. The ending actually made me jump! Very great work! I myself am a novice filmmaker and just released my first horror short, "The Master". Feel free to check it out if you wish; I'd love another filmmaker's opinion on it-- thank you!

[@j.zacharythurman]

Thank you so much! I will check it out tonight! Let's chat about it. Keep up the good work and thanks again for the kind words. Love getting high praise from a fellow filmmaker.

[@lifeiscats1337]

Wdym you weren’t ezpectung the ending? Did you expect it to be an actual cat and everyone to live happily ever after?

[@JustBeingDaNii]

Omg so worth the wait 😂 anybody else almost threw their phone?😂

[@j.zacharythurman]

Thanks for being so patient with me! I'll get the next one out even sooner

[@antoniomodesto4922]

No, cause I was watching on my notebook

[@lifeiscats1337]

@@antoniomodesto4922HOW?

[@aki785]

This was absolutely amazing...the jump scare in the end gave me a heart attack

[@j.zacharythurman]

Thank you!

[@ultralegume]

Really well done. I watch a lot of short horror films but this is only one to give me goosebumps. I want to watch it again but I’m too scared. Made me think of the “Humans can lick too” urban legend.

[@floradelirium]

Not going to lie, I'd still feed the kitty, even after watching this. This is one of the best shorts I've ever seen, so well done! I knew what was coming the whole time, it still gave me a jump scare.

[@j.zacharythurman]

Wow, thank you! That's high praise. Let's see if I can beat it with the next one :P

[@lifeiscats1337]

Lmao yeah. I’ve seen all types of horror shorts ranging from mental trauma non-paranormal horror stories like “Make me a sandwich!” To super disturbing but interesting shorts like “Don’t look away” or “Look away”. Yet this is one of the best I’ve seen in a while. Thurman is really talented and hope to see more!

[@michaelclemons1761]

Awesome horror short. I was expecting Grandpa to have a person in the basement. Love the swerve. The monster makeup was pretty jarring. Sweeeett 👏👏👏

[@j.zacharythurman]

Thank you! Much love 🙏🏻 My makeup artist was phenomenal!!! Brought the nightmare to life.

[@gca1164]

I was jumping in and out my set when her fingers were gone under the door I new something was going to happen 😂

[@kirtywright1974]

Chat. The fish oil and tuna she just literally wiped on her pants?!🤢🤮 I know I wouldn’t be putting my fingers under some door, feeding god only knows what💯

[@MisterG2323]

Moral: always pay attention to #3. Great short, well done! Kudos!

[@TheFireline]

In this moment you got like #3!!

[@vsu3666]

What's #3

[@MisterG2323]

Don't Feed the Cat.

[@vsu3666]

@@MisterG2323 I mean What is the meaning of #3

[@MisterG2323]

​@@vsu3666 Not sure I follow you. Are you asking what is the meaning of 'Don't Feed the Cat?' or are you simply missing that #3 refers to the list that the grandfather left for the girl?

[@esrat2508]

I am glad nothing bad happened to the cat... I miss my cat:(

[@Bubblezontheloose]

Nothing ever bad happens to cats in these films :) specifically this channels cats

[@lifeiscats1337]

Goddamn, J. Zachary Thurman is the definition of quality over quantity. He uploads like once every 3 years yet the short horror films are BANGERS! This was so epic!!

[@ForwardEarth]

The cat's voice actor deserves an Oscar.

[@TheFireline]

This was a really good one. I love the acting of the woman, she´s so cute and beautiful. I love it when her voice gets higher when she talks to the cat. You do that with babies too.

[@jeffwade1107]

That was ACTUALLY a really good jump scare. I really enjoyed this.

[@chrisriley8775]

Wow, that was something else. The ending made me jump, so what happened after that. Did the girl die, did she run away from it, or what? Maybe a sequel could be possible but maybe in an urban city setting? I would like to meet the cast in the future, I'm sure this took time to play/act out.

[@horsthinterwaldler]

Yeah... part two, where she tries to escape the cat. That sounds great! I hope we get to see that.

[@kennymustdie8518]

She was raped by the cat and had a baby from him

[@horsthinterwaldler]

@@kennymustdie8518 I don't think that's biologically possible.

[@marcussmith1801]

I’ve seen ALOT of short horrors; this is DEFINITELY top tier.

[@j.zacharythurman]

Much love 🙏🏻

[@AndrewGibbs]

Great job! The acting, cinematography, directing, score, and sound design is spot on. Tension is perfect leading up to that end. Looking forward to what you have coming in the future. I’ve started putting out shorts too, and it’s nice seeing everyone killing it lately.

[@j.zacharythurman]

Thank you! This is so kind and inspiring of you to say. Really means a lot to me when people notice all the facets that went into creating this. I got lucky with the team I had. Will check out some of your shorts now! Keep up the good work.

[@jbahorich1]

This is just acting right or is the horror short film real?

[@hispanicaccordion]

Grandpa seems to have picked the wrong stray cat. 😅 But, the part where she was trying to feed the cat between the gaps was unnerving.

[@prasanthmukundanunni5509]

Oh my goodness 🥶... That ending... I am still shivering😫... Absolutely amazing job, the whole team 👏👏👏

[@Oakleaf700]

Me too!

[@morteamoureuse]

This was such a good short! I was prepared for a jump scare and was still surprised. The scariest thing is knowing this could happen to me. Usually, I watch horror films and yell at the characters for making poor choices, but who wouldn't feed a poor cat and not be suspicious of an old man with Alzheimer's locking it up? Spoiler: Is the creature at the end based on anything that shapeshifts? I didn't think it was a human because of its appearance, so I'm trying to find a link between that and the cat like sounds.

[@lifeiscats1337]

I think it’s a mimic. An urban legend about creatures who can mimic voices to lure prey. Usually of humans but they might also possess the ability to mimic cats with practice. I made that last part up but it’s something to think about if it mimics cat meows to lure in unsuspecting people, like Chloe. But that’s just a theory A FILM THEORY! Sorry I had to. Edit: yet all this doesn’t really add up to why grandpa just has a fucking voice-stealing murder demon in his basement and clearly knows way more than he should about them and how to contain it.

[@JessicaMcGowan-bu4ls]

@@lifeiscats1337 He was just a weird old man and it was needed for the story. About the mimic - urban legends say crying infant sounds have been used as lures.

[@lifeiscats1337]

⁠@@JessicaMcGowan-bu4lsyeah so it’s not far fetched to assume that some mimics learned how to mimic cat meows to lure in animal loving kind humans so they can prey on them.

[@lifeiscats1337]

@@JessicaMcGowan-bu4lsalso sorry it took 6 months to reply lmfao

[@JessicaMcGowan-bu4ls]

@@lifeiscats1337 i agree and some have even taped crying babies (used in car jackings) so some Samaritans will investigate a crying baby.

[@destineegale6536]

Well damn! Thanks for putting my faith back into jump scares 👏🏼👏🏼

[@j.zacharythurman]

I try, madam 🙏🏻

[@tanja.s-]

Uuaaaahhhh!!!! Heartattack!!! 😱😱 I jumped off the sofa 🤣🤣 Great work 👍🏻

[@riquipoo5578]

What our cat does when we don't feed her on time!😆

[@BlazeCarlton]

This was great! Can't wait to see your future projects!

[@j.zacharythurman]

Hopefully I'll have more to come very soon! Thank you for watching 🙃

[@batgirlp5561]

I literally screamed when the ghoul popped out haha! Good job! My husband yelled what's going on in there?! 😂😂😂

[@SodiumBurn]

This was a great concept with good production. Can I ask what you shot this on?

[@richardhenry5961]

FIVE STARS *****

[@annieclinkscales77]

OMG when I heard them footsteps i knew it wasn't no kitty it scared the living day lights out of me 😱

[@yessniabalcazar7999]

Make a whole movie 🎥 it was great. It made me jump at the end.

[@chottoeroi]

I had a jumpscare at the end I thought the ghost will attack from behind. I must say that was amazing!!

[@j.zacharythurman]

Thank you!

[@rheasylvia4530]

Could be alot more scarier if the ghost walked up the stairs like that ghost from the grudge movie.

[@spinielgeckodin3321]

REALLY GREAT! And I did get frustrated, “NO DONT WHY?! YOU HAVE 3 LISTS TO DO AND U FAILED 😫”

[@pedroflorencio3001]

Wtf is wrong with her grandpa? Keeping that cat in the basement. He is, by far, the scariest character on the film

[@michaelburke4048]

Her acting was phenomenal. Definitely drew me in.

[@DNTMEE]

The appetizer was nice but the cat is probably thinking this main course looks like will fill her up nicely. Assuming the she can catch her. If not I guess it's back to critter du jour in the basement.

[@amandagraham7731]

That scared the shit out of me i was not expecting that great video 😂

[@horsthinterwaldler]

Moral of the story: Just do what the note says!

[@subodh7901]

different concept .. sound effects and all are perfect .. amazing

[@j.zacharythurman]

Thank you, Mr. Horror! 🙏🏻

[@SwedeProof]

Nice horror build-up at the nursing home, when Gramps hears 'that Thing! he locked in the basement', that Thing's unnatural, bone-chilling, spine-tingling yowling on grand-daughter's phone, and her Mom saying, "Dad! You need to stay in bed!" Brilliant!!!

[@cobbetlprogrammer1344]

Always listen to your Grand Parents: And "Don't Feed The Cat!" Great Job.

[@nkandy111]

That was pretty solid. J. Zachary Thurman, you should add this to Letterboxd, so I can rate it

[@melissad5373]

This was the best short horror film ever. Oh my gosh, the chills!

[@jahton1239]

Sorry but i laughed at the end. Great film. Keep'em coming.

[@j.zacharythurman]

Laugh or scream . . . either is fine by me! Thank you!

[@michellezavala1355]

I was just waiting for the "🙀/😈to chomp her fingers off and then to be surprised with a freaking ugly 🙀👹kitty monster!! I love it 10/10 😁

[@j.zacharythurman]

Thanks Michelle! Love that you describe it as a kitty monster haha

[@joymelton-bollen6383]

GEEZ!!! I nearly jumped out of my skin, I usually never "get got" by jump scare type scenes as you can usually "see it" coming...I did not see that coming!!! Really good!!

[@susilowatiwiatno4676]

Spooky and haunted house because it's always dark 👹👺👻 Not good for human habitation 😠

[@Oakleaf700]

Really superb..'Scared' me more than many big budget films. Well done!

[@j.zacharythurman]

High praise 🙏🏻 Thank you!

[@Oakleaf700]

@@j.zacharythurman I think what makes it scary is that as a teenager, I was left alone in the house {London} while parents went away ..There was a creepy long corridor with a turn that went up to the attic.. One evening, I heard the attic door rattling..I literally was shit scared, but as parents were thousand miles away, and it was long before mobile phones, I couldn't do anything to call for help. I called out ''Who is it!'' and the door rattled again. I grabbed my tennis racket, and snapped on the light switch that lit the attic stairway from behind the door..and to my utter relief, the strip of light gap under the door, showed that our cat had got shut up there..He had put his claws under the door and was rattling it.{He was a huge cat, a mighty ratter} Scared the life out of me though. Your film reminded me very much of this.

[@pikachu2000s]

Good job! Waiting for the next chapter of FINLEY👍

[@j.zacharythurman]

Working on it! Thank you for watching 🙃

[@Linkboy94]

That one really got me by a surprise as soon as I saw a red room I thought "DONT GO DOWN THERE!" very scary great job

[@riverotter68]

more Ryan Lucy please

[@j.zacharythurman]

I'll show her this comment ASAP ha. We love her too!

[@robyncohen3108]

Was totally expecting something bad at the end but WHOA still jumped out of my chair!!! Good film👍👍👍

[@jennifersloan2548]

Most disturbing video ever!!! She wiped her Tuna fingers on her jeans. 😵‍💫

[@sassyscribe8642]

This is a fictional example of a real truth that elderly people have the best stories because wow, what a story that gentleman had.

[@erincampbell1955]

Ok that is first short film that scared the shit out of me lol but I get short film but why here grandma have psycho in basement chained up lol

[@truce1121]

THAT WAS AWESOME!!! Short but sweet!!!

[@Hugo_Enrique]

I'm watching this at 01:21 pm on Saturday night in Brazil, I don't think I'll be able to sleep because of the scare at the end hehehe. Great movie guys!!

[@Spectral_Nights]

Everyone clearly can listen those footsteps, if was there i will move from there , but i will see what is actually coming out there , to run faster than my self

[@cautiouslycynical9786]

What an unexpected gem. All the best to everybody involved in this production!

[@mysticalmisty9772]

Omg that was absolutely brilliant, definitely one of the best short stories I’ve watched…

[@sonyakim4403]

This was great! I had to pause a few times from fear LOL!!! Also watching alone in the dark doesn’t help. Creepy good fun. ❤

[@OrangeElixir]

Very well done! I knew that it would take that kind of twist, but nothing that twisted. I love it.

[@jamesherman1350]

Darn jump scare got me even though I knew it was coming. Nice work.

[@vickimoran1349]

Kind of predictable, but still a great short!

[@mohammadali-vw7xr]

Well dang that was scary

[@strange6293]

I like so much when tell the characters in horror movies NOT to do something and they do 🙃

[@kallherjo]

😭😭😭I wasn't ready for that

[@wiam3569]

This is the only horror movie i will probably die in it because i can never ignore a cat

[@efffs]

those pants gonna smell fishy

[@j.zacharythurman]

Hahaha! I was wondering when someone would notice that!

[@tats763]

The most horrifying thing was seeing her just add fresh water to the vase full of brown, stagnant water. Ew!!! 😉😆 Just joking! It was very well done!

[@j.zacharythurman]

hahaha 😂 Thank you!

[@thebackwoodredeemers2483]

that was hilarious! really good fun, and well done.

[@j.zacharythurman]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@greendesertgoddess]

Why can't people follow directions?

[@j.zacharythurman]

If they did, horror would be boring haha. Thanks for watching!

[@greendesertgoddess]

@@j.zacharythurman I know cuz in every single one somebody didn't follow instructions or somebody is bullied into doing the wrong thing. This was a great short and the jump-scare was longer than usual, so kudos, for pulling it off!

[@ritikashekhawat27]

What a jump scare!!! 😂😂 me heartbeat went to 150 straight 😂

[@saratisdale9700]

I'm on love with your videos bro! I wonder so much about the mythology of WHY it meows like a cat, seems timid yet not at the end, why it looks like that and the Grandpa has it there. I'm also always on the lookout for horror shorts on KZbin for me and my equally horror addicted 10 year old nephew to watch together (that isnt overly gory of course) will definitely add your films to our list 😍

[@jeffreyharnden7523]

That ending was awsome but she did it to herself next time if it says don't feed the cat she should listen horror movie characters are always screwing themselves

[@ayamayer3278]

A horror film wouldn't be horror if there's no big brain character 😂 It clearly says "don't feed the cat" much worse she opened the door 🤣

[@heemro4356]

"don't feed the cat", *immediately feeds a cat*

[@ginav.2885]

Made my niece jump 10 feet and cover her eyes lol best short film I’ve seen!

[@amandaparker5086]

Ending made me yelp which, in turn, scared my family in the other room…a winner!😂👏

[@j.zacharythurman]

Tell your family “sorry” for me 😂 Glad you liked it!

[@rainakira6821]

Damnit That jump scares make me throw my phone

[@evetko]

OMG, it startled me to see kitty looking so much like a friend of mine ... 🤣

[@herheartbeats5727]

We can say what we want : she had be warned xd

[@chynahhernandez]

I feel like I need more of this one it was perfect definitely wasn’t rushed good job

[@meriah10]

Dammit! Why did I watch before bed lol

[@brendawilliams3342]

I’ve watched this several times, I love it! You are so talented! Please can we get a feature film soon?

[@pjsparkle1843]

ooh that got me, I knew it was coming and it still got me 👍

[@Tat1calNuke]

If there’s a lock on a door… DO NOT OF ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BUST THE LOCK

[@ElkassarDirector]

Everything is close to perfection! It's scary and very interesting , I love it so much and an example to learn from.

[@martareis6198]

Very Very good 😍💓

[@Sidsebisse]

Omg that was awesome. I knew it was coming but got scared anyway 👍

[@amberthut]

This is one of the better ones out there. The dialogue felt natural, which is the biggest deal for me, the acting was good, and there was a nice rise in tension and solid payoff. I'm not big on seeing the baddie usually because it tends to be underwhelming but this one was good! I felt the need to comment because it is SO rare for the acting/dialogue to be even tolerable, and it's genuinely quite natural here. Thank you!

[@ahzar4384]

I was expecting her fingers to get bitten off. Jumpscares usually don't get me. But yall got me at the end😆

[@RALPHDOUSSHOW]

wht camera and lens did you use

[@j.zacharythurman]

ARRI Mini + Mamiya Primes (rehoused glass I believe) DP and I loved the look of them!