The second adaptation of Stephen King's 1983 novel, Pet Sematary employs thematic and stylistic changes to differentiate it from the 1989 film. Instead of being about how we do (or do not) deal with death, trauma, and loss, the 2019 film focuses on the difficulty of achieving an ideal family situation in the face of modern life. Also prominently featured is the evil wendigo, which lives in the woods - an aspect of King's novel that is barely hinted at in the earlier film. Fans may or may not appreciate several nods and fakeouts that reference the other movie, as well as changes to the story, which allow for some disturbing new scenes and sinister surprises in what might be an otherwise familiar story. Less forgiveable are the accompanying plot holes, creepy gimmicks, and the movie's heavy handed, dark aesthetic, which is fraught with jump scares, artificial thumps and swooshes, and generic, overbearing music.
Review of Pet Sematary
