Pet Sematary (2019) Remake: An Underrated Adaptation Of Stephen King’s Iconic Story

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A fantastic 2019 remake of a classic Stephen King story didn’t get the attention it deserved. Stephen King’s work has produced some of the most popular and well-loved horror and drama movies ever since he started writing in the 1970s. Most people have seen at least one film based on his stories and have a personal favorite.

Remakes always face tough criticism. People tend to compare them closely to the original films, which are often beloved classics. It’s difficult for a remake to be seen as an improvement when the first version was already so well-received.

Look, I get why people are hesitant about another adaptation. Honestly, Stephen King’s stories have been remade so often, and it rarely goes well. We’ve seen some real disappointments over the years – the Carrie remake from 2013, the recent Firestarter in 2022, and even the new Salem’s Lot that just came out in 2024… they just haven’t captured the magic of the originals. It makes you wary, right?

Sometimes, remakes can actually be better than the originals. For example, Andy Muschietti’s 2017 version of IT was a critical hit and led to the popular prequel series, Welcome to Derry. Similarly, Edgar Wright’s take on The Running Man is often praised as an improvement over the Arnold Schwarzenegger film because it stays truer to the source material, Stephen King’s book.

While remakes can sometimes work well, the 2019 film adaptation of Stephen King’s Pet Sematary was surprisingly good and deserved a better reception when it came out.

Pet Sematary (2019) Better Adapts The Book’s Grim Storyline

The 2019 remake of Stephen King’s classic tale, directed by Dennis Widmyer and Kevin Kölsch, wasn’t well-received initially, but it’s actually a stronger film than many people realize. While the 1989 version by Mary Lambert is decent – despite Stephen King’s own criticisms – the remake more effectively captures the dark and unsettling atmosphere of the original novel.

Stephen King’s novel is famously unsettling, exploring deeply frightening themes. At its heart, it’s a story about death and acceptance, and King masterfully portrays the pain of loss, ultimately suggesting that finding peace can sometimes mean letting go.

The 2019 film adaptation does a fantastic job of capturing this element of the story. It’s filled with genuinely unsettling and disturbing scenes, and the film’s heavy atmosphere and dark storyline explain why the novel is so highly regarded. It’s a bleak and impactful movie that doesn’t shy away from making the audience feel the Creeds’ despair as they grapple with difficult questions about death.

Deviations In Plot Don’t Stop Pet Sematary From Being Interesting

A common complaint about the 2019 film Pet Sematary is how much it changes from the original story in its final act. The remake differs from the book and first movie by having Louis’ daughter, Ellie, die instead of his young son, Gage. This results in a resurrected Ellie who can talk and move around much more than Gage did in the original, which many viewers found jarring.

Interestingly, giving Ellie the role of the resurrected child actually improves the movie. Both the book and the first film focused more on her than on Gage, and while baby Gage was scary, he didn’t have as much story development.

Ellie has always been the most openly fearful of death in the Creed family. She constantly worried about Church, their cat, and was the first one fascinated – and disturbed – by the Pet Sematary. So, when she tragically dies, it’s a devastating blow. Even more impactful is her terrifying and incredibly convincing portrayal of something demonic after she’s brought back to life.

Neither Adaptation Is Actually Better Than The Original Book

Whether you prefer the 1989 or 2019 movie adaptation, both fall short of the original novel. Stephen King’s story expertly combines sadness and fear, making it incredibly powerful. The book creates a constant feeling of unease and dread, solidifying its place as one of his best works.

Comparing the two movie versions, the 2019 film is the stronger adaptation. Although it deviates from the original story more than the 1989 version, it successfully recreates the chilling atmosphere that made Pet Sematary so frightening. The movie is consistently dark, bleak, and unsettling, leaving the audience with a sense of dread throughout.

While neither movie fully captures the depth of the original novel, both are enjoyable. However, the 2019 version is especially recommended for those who want a closer adaptation of Stephen King’s story, going beyond just a retelling of the plot. Despite not receiving the recognition it deserved, the remake remains a good watch even now, seven years later.

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2026-04-25 19:11