Pet Sematary is one of the greatest cult hits born from Stephen King’s collection of horror novels. The original film was created in 1989 and with this new release, the question on everybody’s lips has been, “Will the remake hold up to the original?”.
Well the answer is that directors Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer have somehow managed to stay true to the original, appeasing hard-core fans but have also adapted the film in a way that brings it hurtling into the 21st century with incredible impact.
At the premiere, the cinema was packed with screams and gasps as we were taken on a disturbing but powerful journey through the psychology of a broken family, the innocence of childhood and the unwillingness to accept our reality when met with disaster.
The film honours the original by including scenes that are exactly the same, almost as if they are small but appreciated gestures towards the classic. But at times it completely sways away from the original, taking on new and updated plot points giving us a whole new way to see the film while still packing that deafening, grotesque imagery and swirl of emotion we all love when it comes to a Stephen King film.
Generally when directors change films it is met with intense disappointment, Kölsch and Widmyer have provided powerful scenes and improved plot directions that were missing to begin with. The only complaint would be that they might have overstepped their judgement when it came to the ending, coming a bit out of left field. But hey, you be the judge on that one!
Louis (Jason Clarke), Rachel (Amy Seimetz) and their two children Gage and Ellie, plus friendly but foreboding neighbour Jud (John Lithgow) all give stunning performances as they are thrown into this world of insanity, and come out the other end just a little bit bloodier than when they went in. This is a must watch and I’m sure you will be on the edge of your seat throughout the whole movie!
‘Pet Sematary’ will be coming to cinemas April 4th so click below to get your tickets:
Rating: 4-5 stars
Review by Rhyleigh Dawson
Upside Adelaide 