Catwoman (film)

Catwoman (film)

Catwoman is a 2004 American superhero film and quasi-spin-off of the Batman film series directed by Pitof and released by Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow Pictures on July 23, 2004. The film was loosely inspired by the DC Comics character of the same name, who is traditionally an anti-hero and love interest of the superhero Batman. This story features a completely new character, Patience Phillips, taking on the Catwoman persona. The film stars Halle Berry, Sharon Stone, Benjamin Bratt, Lambert Wilson, Frances Conroy and Alex Borstein. It was poorly received by critics and audiences and is commonly listed as one of the worst films ever made.

Starring Halle Berry, this film's Catwoman bears little resemblance to the comic book version, serving as the only protagonist in the film. Berry portrays Patience Phillips, a woman who becomes Catwoman after a near-death experience. Patience gains superpowers (which she does not have in the comics) from the Egyptian cat goddess Bastet through a gathering of cats led by an Egyptian Mau. The movie alludes to other women in the past who have been granted such cat-like abilities, particularly in a scene in which Patience is introduced to a series of photos of prior Catwomen, including Michelle Pfeiffer's Batman Returns version of Selina Kyle. The film's story has nothing to do with Batman or Gotham City, and is considered "Catwoman in name only".