Spooky Cat · Animated Short Film | Based on the Novel by C.H. Lyn

✦ spooky cat ✦

animated short fantasy/comedy based on the book by C.H. Lyn
When Demi forgets to say "bless you," their cat is possessed by a sneeze demon. Now the mismatched duo must team up for an exorcism and honestly, the demon hates it even more than they do.
characters
Demi
Demi is a non-binary young adult who has made peace with staying inside their isolated apartment bubble. The world outside is full of judgment and anxiety, and now, apparently, demons. Deeply connected to their cat, Missy, Demi's desire for solitude is a shield against a world that doesn't always see them for who they are. When a sneeze demon takes over their beloved pet, Demi is forced out of their bubble and straight into an adventure they didn't sign up for. This journey challenges them to confront not only external dangers but also their own insecurities. Stepping out, with a cat-demon at their side, cracks open the possibility of friendship, belonging, and becoming someone braver than they thought.
c.h. lyn · author

C.H. Lyn debuted in April 2023 and has since published 11 books, selling over 4,200 copies with 35,000 Amazon page reads and almost 40,000 episodic reads on Kindle Vella. Spooky Cat is her breakout hit, accounting for nearly half her total sales. She is also the co-founder of Springs Book Bash, a Colorado-based festival now in its third year, which has quickly become a cornerstone of the local book community with an eye on diversity and inclusion.

11 books written
4.2k+ copies sold
35k amazon kindle reads
40k kindle vella reads
buy the book
the story

Spooky Cat is a coming-of-age fantasy/comedy set in a world where a little magic hides in every laneway. It introduces Demi, a non-binary young adult who has made peace with living inside their cosy bubble, where the only company they need is their beloved cat, Missy. But this carefully crafted life is turned upside down when a mundane sneeze opens a door to another dimension. A sneeze demon named Skia is unexpectedly transported from hell and takes over Missy's body.

The unlikely pair's journey begins as they set out to find the tools needed for an exorcism, with the cat-demon acting as their unwilling guide. Skia's contempt for their feline form clashes with Demi's calm, pragmatic demeanor, creating a series of hilarious and chaotic encounters. Along the way, they meet Ags, the local apothecary, who sees Demi for exactly who they are – a connection that both comforts and terrifies Demi. As they navigate the city together, the duo's early bickering gives way to a genuine, if begrudging, bond. It becomes clear that what started as a practical mission is turning into a profound exploration of fighting inner battles for the people and creatures they love.

The stakes are raised dramatically when a gang of bullies harass and misgender Demi. In a surprising act of loyalty, Skia reveals their demonic power, protecting Demi and cementing their unlikely friendship. Their moment of relief is short-lived, however, as their supernatural actions have alerted Nexus, a terrifying and powerful gatekeeper from hell who has been hunting Skia for escaping his domain. The film's tone shifts as the witty hijinks give way to a frantic race against time. Demi and Skia realize their simple exorcism has spiraled into a life-or-death confrontation, and they must get back to the apartment before Nexus catches them.

What happens next and what becomes of Demi, Skia and Missy is a story about found family, impossible choices and proving that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is simply let someone else into your cosy, messy bubble.

trailer
coming soon
why now?
Because it's cosy. Because it's queer. Because audiences are craving the next Buffy, the next Sailor Moon – reinvented for the next generation. Spooky Cat is about identity, love, and showing up for yourself and your people.
— Gina Rose Drew
NXT CHAPTR MEDIA