Stephen King, the mastermind behind some of the most iconic horror novels and films, has once again made headlines. However, this time, it’s not for the reasons he might have hoped for. His latest movie, Pet Sematary: Bloodlines, a prequel to the 2019 Pet Sematary remake, has been met with a barrage of negative reviews from both critics and fans.
While Stephen King’s filmography boasts numerous successful adaptations, it seems that Pet Sematary: Bloodlines has missed the mark. The film, which is currently streaming on Paramount+, has been described as a far cry from the “Stephen King” essence that fans have come to love.
The Critical Reception
Credit: Paramount+
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Rotten Tomatoes Ratings
Pet Sematary: Bloodlines currently holds a dismal 20 per cent critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have been particularly scathing, with Aaron Neuwirth cleverly playing on the famous Pet Sematary line, stating, “Sometimes, a dormant franchise is better.” Another critic, John Serba, was even more direct, asserting that the film “struggles to justify its existence.”
Reviews from Notable Critics
The Guardian’s Benjamin Lee summed up the general sentiment with his blunt statement: “A prequel wanted by few and needed by none.” Katie Rife from RogertEbert.com commented on the film’s failed attempt at horror, noting that “not even the jump scares work.”
Meagan Navarro of Bloody Disgusting wrote:
It’s a prequel that doesn’t care for tidy canon; the aim is to use these familiar characters and the setting to induce scares. It’s not helped by editing that feels like much of this choppy story was left on the editing room floor.
Audience Reactions to this new Stephen King movie
Credit: Paramount+
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Fans Are Not Impressed
Horror fans, who are often the most loyal and forgiving, have also expressed their disappointment. Sample audience reviews have described the film as “awful” and even suggested that “watching paint dry would be preferable to watching Bloodlines.” Another review simply read “worst,” followed by a long string of ellipses, capturing the sheer disappointment.
Comparisons to Previous Sequels
This isn’t the first time a sequel to a Stephen King adaptation has faced backlash. The 1989 adaptation of Pet Sematary led to a 1992 sequel, Pet Sematary Two, which is remembered as one of the worst follow-ups in horror movie history.
Stephen King’s Filmography: Hits and Misses
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The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
While Stephen King’s name is synonymous with horror and has produced many hits, there have been a few misses along the way. Films like Lawnmower Man and its sequel, Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace, have been critically panned. Similarly, Sometimes They Comeback led to two poorly received sequels.
The Legacy of Stephen King Films
Despite the occasional misstep, Stephen King’s legacy in the film industry remains untarnished. With classics like The Shining and It, he has cemented his place as a horror legend. However, as with any artist, not every project will be a hit.
Final thoughts on Pet Sematary: Bloodlines
Credit: Paramount+
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Pet Sematary: Bloodlines may not have lived up to the expectations set by Stephen King’s illustrious career, but it serves as a reminder that even the greats have their off days. While this film may be a blip in King’s filmography, his legacy of spine-chilling stories will continue to haunt our dreams for years to come.
As the film industry continues to evolve, one can only hope that future adaptations of King’s works will capture the essence of his storytelling. For now, fans might want to revisit some of his classics to remember why they fell in love with his tales in the first place.
What do you make of this news? Are you shocked to see these poor reviews of Pet Sematary: Bloodlines?
You can stream Pet Sematary: Bloodlines on Paramount Plus right now.
