Stephen King’s twisted tale of grief and resurrection gets another cinematic treatment with Pet Sematary: Bloodlines, a prequel that takes us back to 1969 to explore the origins of the cursed burial ground that would later torment the Creed family. As a longtime fan of King’s universe, I approached this Paramount+ original with cautious optimism, curious to see how it would expand on the mythology established in both the novel and previous film adaptations.
What Works
Director Lindsey Anderson Beer, making her directorial debut, clearly understands the source material’s potential for exploring grief and moral dilemmas. The period setting of 1969 Ludlow provides a fresh backdrop, with Vietnam War anxieties and social upheaval subtly integrated into the narrative. Jackson White delivers a solid performance as young Jud Crandall (played by John Lithgow in the 2019 film), capturing the character’s inherent decency while showcasing his formative experiences with the ancient Micmac burial ground.
The film’s strongest moments come when it leans into atmospheric horror rather than jump scares. Several sequences effectively build tension through the fog-drenched Maine forests and the eerie, primal simplicity of the burial ground itself. The practical effects for the “returned” are impressively unsettling, maintaining that uniquely King-like quality of familiar faces twisted into something unnatural.
Where It Falters
Unfortunately, Bloodlines struggles to escape the shadow of its predecessors while simultaneously failing to carve out compelling new territory. The script often resorts to horror conventions rather than exploring the psychological horror that made King’s original story so devastating. Characters make frustratingly predictable decisions that seem designed to advance the plot rather than emerge organically from established motivations.
The film’s pacing also presents issues, with a sluggish first act followed by a rushed third act that doesn’t fully deliver on its early promises. Several intriguing subplots and character relationships are introduced only to be abandoned or resolved hastily. The mythology around the burial ground feels simultaneously over-explained and underdeveloped—we learn more about its mechanics but somehow understand less about its true nature.
Technical Elements
Visually, the film does manage to capture the look and feel of late 1960s rural Maine, with production design that creates a lived-in world without turning into a parade of period clichés. The cinematography effectively contrasts sun-dappled small-town Americana with the foreboding darkness of the forest scenes. The score, while occasionally heavy-handed, does contribute to the growing sense of dread.
Final Verdict
Pet Sematary: Bloodlines is a mixed bag that will likely satisfy hardcore fans looking for additional context to the larger story but may disappoint viewers hoping for a truly frightening or emotionally resonant horror experience. It offers just enough King-flavored atmosphere and mythology to keep fans engaged, but lacks the psychological depth and genuine terror that elevated the original novel and the better adaptations.
For those invested in the Pet Sematary lore, there’s value in seeing Jud’s backstory unfold, but casual horror fans might find this prequel covers more familiar ground than groundbreaking territory. Sometimes, as the story itself warns us, what’s dead should probably stay buried.
Rating: 3/5
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