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Kedi

Kedi

A cat meowing at your feet, looking up at you, is life smiling at you...

201679 minNot RatedMidcredits score: 96th percentile of all films
Director
Ceyda Torun
Starring
Bülent Üstün

A profile of Istanbul and its unique people, seen through the eyes of the most mysterious and beloved animal humans have ever known, the Cat.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Kedi?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Kedi streaming on The Criterion Channel and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Subscription

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Kedi?

Kedi earns 6 badges, led by Modern classic and Top 5% of films.

  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Kedi worth watching?

Kedi's Midcredits score is the 96th percentile of all films, from 56K ratings across 4 sources. 83% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

96th percentile

Better received than 96% of films

90th percentile among Documentary96th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)95th
Approval (how many liked it)93rd

78 /100

95th percentile of all films

85th percentile among Documentary95th percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

Most people land high, with a thin tail of low scores from those it didn't reach.

83% liked it

93rd percentile of all films

87th percentile among Documentary94th percentile among 2010s
83% rated it 7–1017% rated it 1–6

Critics 98% · Audience 85%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 6 wins / 19 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

93rd percentile

56K ratings across platforms

99th percentile among Documentary93rd percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 24% in 30 days

Box office

Opening weekend$40K
Domestic gross$2.8M
Worldwide gross$5M

95th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A visually beautiful, heartfelt documentary about Istanbul's street cats and the people who care for them.

Fans praised

  • stunning low-angle cinematography capturing cats at eye level
  • heartwarming human-animal bond and compassionate caretakers
  • uplifting, feel-good tone with philosophical reflections on life

Detractors panned

  • romanticizes street cat life, ignoring overpopulation and suffering
  • repetitive and overlong; feels like a padded YouTube cat video
  • one-dimensional interviewees; lacks broader cultural context

What stands out

Cinematography85

low-angle cat-eye tracking shots, gorgeous Istanbul cityscapes

Emotional impactDivisive82

heartwarming and uplifting for fans, saccharine or naive for detractors

Atmosphere78

dreamy, magical depiction of Istanbul

Sound and music75

whimsical score with Turkish and world music

Dialogue65

philosophical musings from caretakers, sometimes simple

Originality60

fresh premise about urban cats, but familiar documentary tropes

Plot and storyDivisive55

loose anthology of cat stories, aimless or charmingly unstructured

PacingDivisive52

feels too long for slight content, repetitive for some

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 7 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 1 point apart
  • Critics vs users 8 points apart
  • US vs non-US 1 point apart

Watch experience

What is Kedi like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something warm that leaves you smiling.

It is gentle, takes its time and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
WarmContemplativeMelancholic
Heaviest: middle
Warm humor
Register
WarmTender · 13% of films
Told as
Episodic · 13% of films: Loosely connected incidents rather than one driving plot.
ToneThe film is a sincere, affectionate portrait of Istanbul's cats and the people who care for them, observed with warmth and gentle respect.
The rideThe film oscillates between cozy warmth and a quiet sadness about the city's changing relationship with its cats.
StructureThe film moves between stories of individual cats in an episodic portrait format.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

The answer rests on this: Feel-goodHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves a warm, uplifting feeling and a sense of hope about human-animal coexistence.
How it ends · evidence
Ambiguous ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22% (this title)

No archetype fits — true of 22% of films: ensemble pieces, satire, slice-of-life.

Why this archetypeKedi is a non-narrative documentary portrait of Istanbul's stray cats, not structured around a plot archetype.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9% (this title): Community 14% (this title) · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% (this title) · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Society

Community · 14% of filmsNature · 2% of films
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe film observes the human community that forms around caring for the cats, and the cats as a natural presence in the city.
StanceThe documentary presents the cats and their caretakers without a strong argumentative agenda, simply observing their lives with affection.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanRealistic
AmbientSupportive music · original score · Kira Fontana
SettingThe streets, rooftops, and waterfront of Istanbul as seen through the lives of stray cats.
MusicKira Fontana's ambient score gently underscores the feline antics, enhancing the film's contemplative mood.

Content guide

Is Kedi okay for kids?

Not Rated

Kedi is not rated. As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at minimal (0/100), sexual content at minimal (6/100), language at minimal (0/100), drug and alcohol content at minimal (0/100) and frightening material at minimal (0/100). Overall it is heavier than 1% of unrated films.

Ratings in 14 other countries
  • AustraliaG
  • Germany0
  • IrelandPG
  • JapanG
  • Austria12
  • DenmarkA
  • Hungary12
  • ItalyNR
  • NetherlandsAL
  • NorwayA
  • Poland16
  • SpainA
  • SwedenBtl
  • TürkiyeGenel İzleyici Kitlesi
Overall
None / Minimal · all five categories
Heavier than 1% of all filmsHeavier than 1% of unrated films
Violence & Gore
None / Minimal
light for an unrated film
heavier than 1%
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
light for an unrated film
heavier than 6%
Profanity
None / Minimal
light for an unrated film
heavier than 1%
Alcohol & Drugs
None / Minimal
light for an unrated film
heavier than 1%
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
light for an unrated film
heavier than 1%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is sexual content, heavier than 6% of unrated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Kedi have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Kedi?

Cast

Bülent Üstün
as Self

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Kedi?

Movies like Kedi include The Elephant Whisperers (2022), The Year Earth Changed (2021) and Fantastic Fungi (2019). Of the 12 closest matches, half are episodic films, and several are films about community.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

All 12 share its story type: nature documentary. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Kedi?

1.1K other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: nature documentary. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.