One question remains for those familiar with the lore of Stephen King’s Pet Sematary. Why would anyone use the power of the burial ground if they already know the results are evil? I had hoped that this prequel installment would include the answer to this question, but alas, this was not the case. Even though the film does enrich the world of Pet Sematary by giving audiences a backstory, it never, inexplicably, details why anyone would bury their beloved ones in the supernaturally charged ground, which grants the dead new life but at an enormous cost.
The year is 1969, and 18-year-old Jud Crandall (Jackson White) aims to leave his small-town life and pursue something more significant with his girlfriend Norma (Natalie Alyn Lind). However, as he and his beloved attempt to escape, they discover that a powerful supernatural force has an evil presence in their small town. What seems to be a freak accident delays their departure and leads to a severe injury to Norma. During this delay, Jud discovers that his father, Dan (Henry Thomas), and his friends know that a particular area of their town houses an evil force that threatens to destroy all of the people in their home of Ludlow.
Written and directed by Lindsey Anderson Beer, who cowrote with Jeff Buhler, Pet Sematary: Bloodlines attempts to enrich the lore of Pet Sematary with a solid prequel, which primarily works. However, the film fails to answer the question as to why Jud Crandal would ever consider using the pet cemetery ground in the original story. With everything in this movie, the character would already know better. Therefore, this movie needs to make more sense in terms of continuity.
The film has intriguing, thrilling, and frightening moments, but nothing makes sense in the grand scheme of things. If the events of this movie have any relevance in future installments, why would Jud Crandall even consider using the dark powers of the cemetery?
The cast’s performances are great, but I still can’t grasp what they saw in this script. It’s an absurd and non-sensical exercise in storytelling. Pet Sematary: Bloodlines is now available on Paramount +, but it isn’t worth watching.