Pet Sematary (Movie Review)

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

PLOT: After moving into a new home in the country, the Creed family discovers that they have a secretive and spooky ‘Pet Sematary’ in the forest behind their new house. After the death of their family cat, Louis is convinced by a kind hearted neighbor to bury their pet deep in the woods in a secluded area, along with the other animals at rest. But when the feline returns, it triggers a familial nightmare that is compounded by a heartbreaking and tragic occurrence.

REVIEW: Depicting grief in a film can be a difficult task, and so can remaking a movie that many horror fans love. Yet Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer have managed to do quite a terrific job at both in their take on Stephen King’s classic novel PET SEMATARY, which is a chilling look at how desperate and heartbroken losing a loved one can be. And, most importantly, it brings a fresh vision to the tragedy that befalls the Creed family. While many of you are aware of one change that has been made, this particular choice works on a few levels. It also brings about a finale that for this viewer, was surprisingly effective. And frankly, this approach gives the story a compelling final act, one that is disturbing in a number of ways. Sometimes dead may be better, but occasionally bringing a story like this back is well worth the investment.

Doctor Louis Creed (Jason Clarke) and his family are looking for a change. He and his wife Rachel (Amy Seimetz) – along with their two children Gage (twins Hugo and Lucas Lavoie) and Elle (Jeté Laurence) – move into what appears to be the perfect home. However, there is one minor issue; their house is only a few feet away from a busy road where trucks speed by on a regular basis. When the family cat Church is run over and killed, the friendly next door neighbor Jud Crandell (John Lithgow) suggests that they bury the cat at a local graveyard where family pets are laid to rest. Unfortunately, in this place, the dead don’t stay dead and the cat returns. While many of you are already aware of one particular twist, it would be best to avoid explaining too much more. Thankfully, what you may already know is only part of this story.

When you remake a film, you’d best be prepared to bring something fresh to it. Unfortunately, when it came to the advertising for PET SEMATARY, one major difference between the novel and original film had been made clear. Yet, it's not the only change, and it works especially well within the confines of this particular telling. What both Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer bring to this that I can talk about is a very moody and palatable sense of dread. From the opening shot to the introduction to the Creed family, there is an uneasy feeling from the very first moment that a massive truck zooms by only a few feet away while they're moving in. From there, the action escalates assuredly to its conclusion.

Neither Jason Clarke nor Amy Seimetz are strangers to genre and they're perfectly cast here; a loving couple who adore their children, and want nothing but the best for young Elle and Gage. Like the source material, the two have a few ghosts to contend with. As a young girl, Rachel was forced to take care of her sister who was cursed with spinal meningitis, which led to a horrific and early death. Meanwhile, Louis comes face to face with a very grotesque warning as he keeps seeing an image of a man who died in the hospital before he could save him. The two actors bring an emotional depth to this feature and are wonderfully cast, so that when things get truly horrific, you feel for the couple and the suffering they are going through.

If you’ve seen the trailer – or maybe you’ve read a few of the comments online – you are probably aware of the difference between the two films. Even still, I’d rather tread lightly here. So, if you’ve never watched the trailer and have no idea what this is in reference to, you may want to skip this paragraph. As the young and innocent Elle, Jeté Laurence is phenomenal. Like most families, the question of death oftentimes comes awkwardly to the light of day. And of course, Elle is the one asking. It's impressive how young she really is, as she delivers a solid performance while her character and motives shift drastically throughout the film. As well, her and the cat have a unique bond. In fact, if memory serves, the lovable Church is a bit more vicious this time around – perhaps more in line with the novel.

In regards to the ending and the changes made, it's best to avoid spoilers as much as possible. However, most of the changes work quite well. In fact, there are a few moments that may even benefit from it and you can find atmospheric additions that are especially interesting. This includes a mysterious funeral procession that only makes a brief, but memorable appearance. And John Lithgow gives a strong performance, if not quite as intriguing as what Fred Gwynne brought. The score by Christopher Young is eerie, as is the impressive cinematography courtesy of Laurie Rose. Even the script by Matt Greenberg and Jeff Buhler successfully manages to inject the heavy theme of death throughout in a satisfying way. Yet there is a caveat, and this is something that comes up in all versions of this story. Occasionally these parents – as loving as they are – make really terrible decisions, although that is slightly improved here.

As a fan of both the book and the 1989 feature film directed by Mary Lambert, the 2019 version is easily just as satisfying. It helps that Jason Clarke and Amy Seimetz are sympathetic, as is the impressive Laurence who continues to offer proof that child actors in horror continue to get better and better. Her work here is certainly no exception. By digging a little deeper into the source material and altering it slightly, this horrific tale of grief and loss is an unnerving decent into darkness. Smartly written and directed with a quick pace and a few discomforting images, this return to the PET SEMATARY is certainly one worth taking.