Summary
- Stephen King approves of the story in upcoming prequel movie Pet Sematary: Bloodlines, despite it not being adapted from something he wrote.
- He praises David Duchovny’s performance in the film.
- King believes that the key to a successful adaptation is caring about the characters, which he hints this new movie does.
Author Stephen King approves of Pet Sematary: Bloodlines. The horror film will be a prequel to the 2019 movie Pet Sematary, but unlike its predecessor, it is not adapted from a corresponding novel by King. Instead, Pet Sematary: Bloodlines crafts an original storyline that follows young Jud Crandall as he discovers the dark family history that will forever tie him to his hometown of Ludlow, Maine. Starring David Duchovny, Jackson White, Samantha Mathis, Henry Thomas, and Pam Grier, Pet Sematary: Bloodlines is set for release on Paramount+ on October 6.
King now gives his seal of approval for the story of Pet Sematary: Bloodlines. Taking to Twitter, the author explained that the plot of the Pet Sematary prequel stems from a story Jud tells to Louis Creed in the original novel “to try and dissuade him from using the Pet Sematary.”
The author went on to praise how the script was handled for the prequel. He expressed his support for Duchovny, calling him “excellent.” King admitted, “The screenplay takes a few liberties,” but ultimately came down on the side of supporting the film and its careful treatment of the characters.
King’s Reaction To Pet Sematary: Bloodlines Is Surprising But Hopeful
Pet Sematary: Bloodlines is taking a huge risk when it comes to altering the world of King’s novel. As a horror author, King is a force to be reckoned with, so going off the carefully-crafted stories he’s laid out is a daring choice. The last time someone tried to do this with Pet Sematary, for 1992’s Pet Sematary Two, the film was hated by audiences and critics alike.
King is also historically judgmental of the way in which his books are adapted. For example, the author has long expressed vitriolic opinions towards Stanley Kubrick’s classic adaptation of The Shining, which strayed significantly from the novel. Thus, it is somewhat surprising to hear King praise Pet Sematary: Bloodlines’ screenplay, given that it warps his content into a prequel that he never wrote and even, per his own admission, takes some liberties.
Perhaps Pet Sematary: Bloodlines’ strong basis in character, as King suggests, is what sets this apart from other adaptations. Bloodlines’ story roots itself in the childhood of Jud Crandall, a central character in the original novel. If King thinks Pet Sematary: Bloodlines has a faithful enough adherence to these characters to get such praise, the film must be doing something right.
Source: Stephen King/Twitter
