Pet Sematary
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After the Creed family's cat is accidentally killed, a friendly neighbor advises its burial in a mysterious nearby cemetery.
What critics thought
DivisivePet Sematary divided critics sharply on release — mainstream reviewers found it cheap, manipulative, and contemptuous of its audience, while horror-focused outlets later embraced it as one of the stronger King adaptations. The central tension is whether the film's blunt, unsubtle approach counts as effective brutality or lazy shock-mongering.
“fails mostly because it doesn't trust the audience to do any of the work”
Vincent Canby·The New York Times
“an ugly payoff to an inept setup”
Richard Harrington·The Washington Post
“Emaciated, then, rather than enhanced by its adaptation, Pet Semetary as a movie is nevertheless strikingly well-told.”
Philip Strick·The Monthly Film Bulletin
“Lambert goes for strong, succinct images and never stops to worry whether there's a lack of credibility or motivation.”
Kevin Thomas·Los Angeles Times
Genres
Fantasy, Horror, Thriller
Cast & Crew
Mary LambertDirector
Dale MidkiffLouis Creed
Fred GwynneJud Crandall
Denise CrosbyRachel Creed
Brad GreenquistVictor Pascow
Michael LombardIrwin Goldman
Miko HughesGage Creed
Blaze BerdahlEllie Creed
Susan BlommaertMissy Dandridge
Mara ClarkMarcy Charlton
Kavi RazSteve Masterton
Mary Louise WilsonDory Goldman
Andrew HubatsekZelda
Elliot GoldenthalComposer
Stephen KingWriterPet Sematary
After the Creed family's cat is accidentally killed, a friendly neighbor advises its burial in a mysterious nearby cemetery.
What critics thought
DivisivePet Sematary divided critics sharply on release — mainstream reviewers found it cheap, manipulative, and contemptuous of its audience, while horror-focused outlets later embraced it as one of the stronger King adaptations. The central tension is whether the film's blunt, unsubtle approach counts as effective brutality or lazy shock-mongering.
“fails mostly because it doesn't trust the audience to do any of the work”
Vincent Canby·The New York Times
“an ugly payoff to an inept setup”
Richard Harrington·The Washington Post
“Emaciated, then, rather than enhanced by its adaptation, Pet Semetary as a movie is nevertheless strikingly well-told.”
Philip Strick·The Monthly Film Bulletin
“Lambert goes for strong, succinct images and never stops to worry whether there's a lack of credibility or motivation.”
Kevin Thomas·Los Angeles Times
Genres
Fantasy, Horror, Thriller
Cast & Crew
Mary LambertDirectorDale MidkiffLouis CreedFred GwynneJud CrandallDenise CrosbyRachel CreedBrad GreenquistVictor PascowMichael LombardIrwin GoldmanMiko HughesGage CreedBlaze BerdahlEllie CreedSusan BlommaertMissy DandridgeMara ClarkMarcy CharltonKavi RazSteve MastertonMary Louise WilsonDory GoldmanAndrew HubatsekZeldaElliot GoldenthalComposerStephen KingWriterStream
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