Film Review: ‘The Cat Man Eshete’

Laura Checkoway’s short documentary The Cat Man Eshete tells the story of an elderly Ethiopian man who shares his life with dozens of stray cats on the streets of New York City. At just 26 minutes, the film is simple and straightforward, but it leaves a strong impression thanks to its honest, no-frills approach to storytelling.

Eshete, the film’s subject, has dedicated much of his life to taking in abandoned cats. He feeds them, talks to them, and lives among them. At first, it might seem like this is just a portrait of an eccentric animal lover, but it becomes clear that Eshete’s devotion is deeply tied to loss, and caring for the cats has become a way for him to cope with that trauma. It’s not a flashy story, but it’s a deeply human one.

Checkoway avoids narration or heavy-handed techniques, instead letting Eshete tell his story in his own words. This restraint pays off. There are no dramatics or emotional manipulation—just a quiet, respectful window into a man’s daily life. The film’s visuals, captured by Director of Photography Greg Harriott and Cinematographer John Larson, match that tone. The cinematography is close and intimate, bringing us into Eshete’s world without turning it into a spectacle.

The film doesn’t try to do too much, and that works in its favor. The pacing is tight, the editing clean, and the use of music subtle. What stands out most is how The Cat Man Eshete balances the emotional weight of Eshete’s past with the calm routine of his present. It’s not about big moments—it’s about what it means to find comfort and purpose in the face of loss.

One could argue that the film leaves some questions unanswered—about Eshete’s past, or how his neighbors view his way of life—but the focus remains clear and consistent. It’s not a full biography. It’s a short, focused look at one man and the quiet life he’s chosen.

The Cat Man Eshete doesn’t rely on sentimentality or dramatic storytelling but instead builds something powerful out of the ordinary. Checkoway, who received an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Short Subject for her 2017 film, Edith+Eddie, once again proves she knows how to find real emotion in real life, without needing to dress it up.