PET SEMATARY: BLOODLINES REVIEW!!! (SOMETIMES DEAD IS BETTER)
- Matt Palmer
- Oct 24, 2023
- 2 min read
Initial release date: October 6, 2023
Studios: Paramount Plus/Paramount Players/DiBonaventura Pictures
Plot: In 1969, a young Jud Crandall dreams of leaving his hometown of Ludlow, Maine behind, but soon discovers sinister secrets buried within. Jud is forced to confront a dark family secret that will forever keep him connected to Ludlow.
Cast
Jackson White - Judson Crandall
Natalie Alyn Lind - Norma
Forrest Goodluck - Manny Rivers
Isabella LaBlanc - Donna Rivers
Henry Thomas - Dan Crandall
Jack Mulbern - Timmy Bateman
David Duchovney - Bill Bateman
Samantha Mathis - Kathy Crandall
Pam Grier - Marjorie Washburn
Christian Jadah - Sheriff Anderson
Steve Love - Johnson
Matt Holland - Mayor Hannibal Benson
Writer(s): Lindsey Anderson Beer
Jeff Buhler (Studio 666; The Grudge 2020; Pet Sematary 2019 remake)
Director: Lindsey Anderson Beer
Rated R for horror violence, gore and language (87 minutes)
In the late 80s and early 90s, Stephen King fans had the chance to see the Pet Sematary story on the big screen in a film adaptation of the infamous story and its big screen sequel. The first movie, though cheesy during a couple parts, I thoroughly enjoyed and never got around to seeing the sequel. A few years ago, they took the franchise and attempted to bring it back to life in a 2019 remake that was just OK at best. Now it's time to see if the recently released prequel that's streaming on Paramount Plus can still keep the franchise alive.
Pet Sematary: Bloodlines does have a few tense moments and the final act wasn't so bad. There are a few moments towards the end of the movie that are suspenseful. Other than that. that's pretty much it ...
Honestly, they shouldn't have made a prequel to the movies. In the prequel, Bloodlines tries to explain the Pet Sematary mythos which should actually stay a mystery since it's more intriguing that way. And the dark family secret that Jud discovers is kinda intriguing but also doesn't really make so much sense. Even though I'm tempted to spoil the secret here, I won't...
So, unless they try to work on a better sequel down the road for this franchise, just like Jud says in Pet Sematary, for this franchise "sometimes dead is better."
If you want to give this prequel a chance, you can stream it on the Paramount Plus streaming platform!
Here are a couple tidbits for Pet Sematary: Bloodlines!
In March 2019, producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura stated that a prequel to the 2019 remake was possibly if the remake was a success financially. The producers planned to explain the mythology and universe of Pet Sematary.
Pet Sematary: Bloodlines premiered at Fantastic Fest on September 23 and released on Paramount Plus on October 6.
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