The Cat and the Hatchet (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

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The Cat and the Hatchet is a 2026 English-language horror short centered on siblings Ellie and Connor. Their seemingly enjoyable visit changes direction when Scratches the Cat reveals a disturbing sense of humor, turning an ordinary home encounter into a frightening nightmare.

The Cat and the Hatchet is a 2026 horror short written and directed by Cameron Dodd, with Kaleb Carmichael and Dr. Seuss also credited as writers. The story follows siblings Ellie and Connor after Scratches the Cat arrives at their home.

What starts as a fun visit soon takes a darker turn. As Scratches displays a twisted sense of humor, the siblings face an increasingly frightening situation inside their own home.

The Cat and the Hatchet movie details

Story without spoilers

Ellie and Connor are at the center of The Cat and the Hatchet, which begins with the arrival of Scratches the Cat. The visit initially appears entertaining, but the mood shifts as Scratches exposes a sinister side. The film’s premise places the siblings in a nightmare shaped by the cat’s unsettling behavior, while keeping the focus on the danger emerging from an apparently playful encounter.

What to expect

The supplied information identifies The Cat and the Hatchet as a horror short film. Viewers can expect a compact story built around a domestic setting, two siblings and a character whose playful presentation becomes threatening. Its premise suggests a contrast between childlike fun and darker horror, without revealing how the story develops or concludes.

Cast and creative team

Mark Ricci plays Scratches the Cat, with Lilah Hewson as Ellie and William Brandt Baker as Connor. Amberlee Lewis appears as Mom, while Shikha Dhawan is credited as Mrs. D. Cameron Dodd directs and shares writing credits with Kaleb Carmichael and Dr. Seuss.

• William Brandt Baker as Connor
• Shikha Dhawan as Mrs. D
• Lilah Hewson as Ellie
• Amberlee Lewis as Mom
• Mark Ricci as Scratches the Cat

Release and production context

The Cat and the Hatchet is listed as a 2026 release, with a release date of October 31, 2026. It is classified as a horror short film and is in English. No runtime, country of production or production company is provided in the supplied information.

The Cat and the Hatchet official trailer

Watch the official trailer on YouTube

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With its short-form horror structure and unsettling premise, The Cat and the Hatchet places a familiar home visit at the center of a sinister encounter. The credited cast, compact setup and Halloween release date give the film a clearly defined horror identity without disclosing its ending.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb