Kedi – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Kedi

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2017

82%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Turkish street cats get the arthouse treatment in this meditative documentary that's catnip for animal lovers and a snoozefest for everyone else.

98%

→

Kedi

movie

G, 2017

82%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Turkish street cats get the arthouse treatment in this meditative documentary that's catnip for animal lovers and a snoozefest for everyone else.

98%

Jump to

Also rated on

98%

View →

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Where-to-watch data byJustWatch

Screenwise Verdict

Kedi is a beautifully shot love letter to Istanbul's street cats that cat people will absolutely adore and everyone else will find... fine? It's genuinely wholesome and safe, with gorgeous visuals and sweet moments of human-animal connection.

But let's be real: this is a slow, meditative documentary with no plot, no conflict, and no action. It's cats walking around, sitting on things, and occasionally being cute while Turkish people wax philosophical about life. If your kid isn't already a documentary enthusiast or cat obsessive, they'll be checking their phone after 15 minutes.

That said, for the right audience—animal lovers, budding filmmakers interested in cinematography, or families who enjoy calm, cultural content—this is genuinely enriching and offers a window into a different way of living. Just know what you're signing up for: it's arthouse, not Marvel.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8-14 who genuinely love animals or have an interest in documentaries. Younger than 8 will likely zone out; older teens might appreciate it but won't seek it out unless they're already into contemplative docs or cats.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Gentle, observational documentary about street cats in Istanbul with warmth and kindness throughout. Shows humans caring for animals and community cooperation. Calm, meditative pacing that's the opposite of chaotic. The tone is consistently peaceful and emotionally healthy, celebrating the bond between people and cats.

Imaginative

Unique perspective of seeing a city through cats' eyes is genuinely creative and original. Beautiful cinematography invites viewers to see the world differently and notice details they'd normally miss. However, it's observational rather than interactive—you're not building or creating anything yourself, just experiencing someone else's creative vision.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it for age 8. Extremely gentle content with no violence, no scary moments, no inappropriate content. It's literally just cats walking around Istanbul and people talking about them. The 98% RT critic score and 85% audience score suggest no surprise content concerns. About as safe as documentaries get.

Enriching

Offers genuine cultural insight into Istanbul and Turkish street life. Builds empathy for animals and appreciation for community care systems. The philosophical reflections from Istanbul residents about cats, life, and interconnectedness provide meaningful takeaways. However, it's a slow, contemplative watch—not everyone will find 79 minutes of cat footage deeply enriching, even if it's well-made.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Absolutely gorgeous cinematography that makes you see both cats and cities in a new way
Teaches empathy and community care—Istanbul residents collectively look after these street cats without formal ownership
Genuinely calming and wholesome; perfect for winding down or a cozy family movie night
Cultural window into Istanbul and Turkish life that feels authentic and respectful
Cat lovers will be in heaven—it's 79 minutes of beautiful felines being themselves

⚠

What to Watch For

Very slow pacing with minimal 'plot'—this is observational cinema, not a story arc
Younger kids (under 8-9) may get restless unless they're seriously into cats
Subtitles throughout as Istanbul residents speak Turkish
A few brief moments show cats hunting or street life realities, but nothing graphic

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the people in Istanbul take care of cats they don't own?"
"If you could see our neighborhood through an animal's eyes, which animal would you pick?"
"What do you think the cats are thinking when they're just sitting and watching people?"
"How is Istanbul different from where we live based on what you saw in the movie?"

Stills

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Writing about Kedi? Put this WISE score on your site