Stephen King is famous for writing scary stories, but not all of the movies based on his books have been well-received. Recently, Tubi, a free streaming service, added a new version of an older King movie from the 1980s. This remake stars an actor known from the Harry Potter films, and despite negative reviews, it’s actually quite good.
Before taking on the role of Dumbledore in the new Harry Potter TV series on HBO, John Lithgow played Jud Crandall, a friendly older neighbor, in the 2019 film Pet Sematary. Directed by Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer, this was the second movie based on Stephen King’s novel (the first was in 1989) and became available on Tubi on December 1st. The film follows the Creed family, whose peaceful life is disrupted when they discover a cursed burial ground behind their house.
I was really surprised by how well Pet Sematary did in theaters – it made over $113 million worldwide on a $20 million budget! However, it didn’t seem to win over many people, sadly. Critics weren’t blown away, giving it a 57% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and audiences felt even more strongly – only 33% of them liked it. That’s a huge drop from the original film, and it makes it one of the least popular Stephen King adaptations among viewers.
Pet Sematary’s Controversial Change to the Original Worked in Its Favor
The 2019 remake of Pet Sematary received a lot of criticism, with many viewers disliking its overuse of jump scares, its unsatisfying ending, and uneven rhythm. However, the most debated change was a significant departure from Stephen King’s original story and the first film adaptation. In this version, Ellie, not her brother Gage, is the one who dies and returns as a sinister being. While many saw this as a flawed narrative choice, it’s actually one of the remake’s most effective elements.
The new version of Pet Sematary is scarier and more realistic thanks to a key change: the death of Gage is shifted to his older sister, Ellie, and played with chilling skill by Jeté Laurence. The contrast between the sweet, lively Ellie we first meet and the terrifying creature she becomes is deeply unsettling. A nine-year-old girl who can think and act maliciously is a much more frightening villain than a baby. Furthermore, because Ellie was already curious about death before she died, her return is even more heartbreaking and impactful.
Other Horror Movies Now on Tubi
If you’re a horror fan, Tubi is a fantastic choice! They’re constantly adding new movies and shows, and right now you can stream titles like Pet Sematary, House at the End of the Street, The Menu, Oculus, and Slither – all for free.
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2025-12-10 02:41