Pet Sematary: Is the remake dead or alive?

Some liberties are taken in Hollywood’s second attempt at Stephen King’s literary masterpiece.


If you love the books of Stephen King, then you already know that many of his literary masterpieces such as Carrie, The Shining, Misery, The Shawshank Redemption – just to name a few – have, over the years, been turned into major motion pictures.

Although I may be accused of being a tad too generous with the use of the word major when it comes to some of the screen adaptations because, while some production houses got it right, others fell flat.

But King’s works are so awesome that some have even tried to redo a few of the author’s works that were already turned into movies: IT, Carrie and now Pet Sematary, which releases in cinemas nationwide today.

Pet Sematary. Photo: Paramount Pictures

The remake of Pet Sematary has already been screened in the US, and the reviews are both hot and cold. However, because it’s hit and miss with most remakes of movies, we thought it best to give you two Google audience reviews instead.

Charles W Jones says: “I get it. Remakes are designed to bring in a new audience, money and piss off fans of the original. This one, in particular, was done horribly. I expected more suspense and thrills than what I got.

“The effects were bland and expected and ordinary. When you have a story like this, making changes can be a slippery slope, and nothing they did made it better, but tore it apart. At least they didn’t change the character names …”

He goes on to say that when the ending finally came, he rolled his eyes and groaned. “It was too much. I highly recommend that you pretend it wasn’t made and move on with your life.”

Pet Sematary. Photo: Paramount Pictures

Meanwhile, this is what Robert Chambers had to say about the film: “I am a fan of the book and of the 1989 film so I was sceptical … There are some liberties taken that I easily forgave because they are good ideas and folks who have either seen or read the originals are kept off balance.

“There are some fun twists too. I really enjoyed this. I should point out that the two directors involved did a great job. I’m looking forward to their next project.”

Whatever you decide, just know that we are not to blame for your decision.

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