Pets Prefer Flow Over Severance: A Tale of Feline and Canine Cinema Critiques
In a whimsical twist on post-Oscar analysis, pets around the globe have made their cinematic preferences known, and the verdict is clear: they adore the Oscar-winning animated feature *Flow* but are decidedly less enthused about the Apple TV+ series *Severance*. This revelation comes after the 97th Academy Awards showcased *Flow*, a unique film directed by Gints Zilbalodis, which follows a solitary black cat navigating a post-apocalyptic world with newfound friends. The film’s gentle narrative, devoid of dialogue, has captured the hearts of various pets, offering a serene viewing experience that appears to soothe even the most restless of animals.
Take, for instance, the TikTok sensation featuring a cat named Fishbone, who was glued to the screen as his owner watched *Flow*. With over 20,000 likes, the video showcases Fishbone hopping around the room, utterly entranced and completely engaged—unlike his usual indifference towards films. It seems *Flow* not only entertains its human audience but also resonates with our furry companions in a way that few other movies can.
Conversely, the reception of *Severance* is markedly less favorable. Pet owners like Mikayla Souza have reported that their dogs exhibit anxiety and stress at the sound and visuals of the show. Her golden retriever, Knox, would pace, whine, and even attempt to hide whenever the series graced their screen. This aligns with observations from veterinary experts who noted that *Severance* contains high-pitched sounds and visual stimuli that can unsettle pets. For instance, the series employs auditory cues like elevator dings and transitions that are inaudible to human ears but jarring to our four-legged friends.
John Hickey’s dog, Payton, echoed similar sentiments, leaping in fright whenever the show began. These negative reactions can be attributed to how dogs perceive sound; their heightened sensitivity may cause them to react negatively to the very elements that engage human viewers. Cinematographer Jessica Lee Gagné mentioned that *Severance* employs a color palette intended to evoke calm, yet it seems to have the opposite effect on pets.
While humans might revel in the eerie and cerebral nature of *Severance*, it’s clear that for our pets, a soothing, dialogue-free adventure like *Flow* is the clear winner. So, if you’re planning your next movie night, perhaps consider your pet’s preferences before hitting play. After all, a happy pet makes for a happy home, and it appears that animated cats navigating watery adventures are just the ticket!
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, Washington Post
Image Credit: Title: Untitled, Author: No author info, License: [‘cc_attribute’, ‘cc_nonderived’, ‘cc_publicdomain’]
