PET SEMATARY
Mary Lambert (1989)
3 STARS
An adaptation of Stephen King’s novel of the same name, Pet Sematary gives us everything we come to expect from the author. This film is Stephen King through and through, although, thankfully, he did not direct it. Mary Lambert succeeds in re-creating the nightmare landscapes that are so well explored in the King portfolio; suspenseful and eerie from start to finish and thoroughly shocking, Pet Sematary is another staple in King horror adaptations. The film lacks the un-relenting terror that Kubrick gives us in The Shining but is suspenseful none-the-less, an abundance of well worked horror will leave many viewers peeking through their fingers.
The film begins grim and continues on that trajectory until the bitter end, this is commendable and keeps the audience on their toes. It goes where you think it won’t and uses characters in trope-reversing style, this is refreshing for the genre. The effects are well executed and the acting is genuine. However, where the film suffers, and a lot of adaptations fall down here, is that there is often too much going on. This doesn’t mean that the pacing is off, or even that the plot is hard to follow, it certainly isn’t. There is simply an inclusion of vital points from the book that the film doesn’t have time to expand upon in a meaningful way.
It would be inappropriate to review this film without addressing the faux-pas that is; the reason for the horrific occurrences of the film, an Indian burial ground. This is a cheap gimmick for horror plot and is, quite frankly, poor writing. Indian burial grounds are a falsity, a cheap explanation for other-worldly happenings. Almost every society buries their dead, Native Americans are no different and they should not be demonized or feared because of this.
Worth watching for shock value, of which there is a multitude, among other things, Pet Sematary is a solid film that slots nicely in the middle of Stephen King adaptations. It is a shame that the plot is not cut down in a satisfying way and the use of Indian burial grounds is inappropriate. Go in to this film ready to be pushed through the plot and it will be enjoyable.