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[SXSW Review] ‘Pet Sematary’ Will Grasp Even the Stonier of Horror Fan Hearts

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Sematary

The adaptation of Stephen King’s terrifying novel, Pet Sematary first made its way onto screens in 89 with Mary Lambert’s moody, and terrifying vision. And guys, that adaptation absolutely scared the hell out of in my youth. Zelda was a big reason for many sleep deprived nights. It was effective, and while it didn’t tackle a lot of stuff from the book it painted the broad strokes effectively well. 

But we aren’t here to talk about that, I just mention it in contrast to our current adaptation of Pet Sematary from Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widyer, the guys behind the wonderfully, creative and terrifying, Starry Eyes

There is a lot to dig into here but for those who are unfamiliar, Pet Sematary centers around the Creed family as they relocate to Maine. Upon arrival they discover that a burial ground on their land is the source of a great darkness with the power to reanimate whatever is buried there. 

The Creed family and their neighbor Jud (John Lithgow) are all superb and really live and breathe in their portrayal. Jason Clarke in particular effectually emotes many choices that would have played out in Louis Creed’s head in terms of the book. Amy Seimetz is an anchor for so many of the big emotional turns and absolutely nails each turn in her haunted depiction. But it has to be Jeté Laurence’s enormously haunting duality that really seals the deal on how great this cast is as an ensemble. 

For those familiar with 89’s Pet Sematary, the first half of this new adaptation is pretty on the nose with those scenes. Which I can totally get behind, but there is some kind of rushed force behind the pacing of the scenes. Something that makes it feel a little bit less authentic rather than allowing itself to play around in King’s world. 

Sematary

At it’s midpoint the film, leaves behind the 89 adaptation and stretches its legs beginning with a major change from both the book and the pervious adaptation. I won’t spoil that here, but if you haven’t had it spoiled yet, I implore you not to watch the second trailer. 

From the big change at its center, Pet Sematary becomes a mixed bag, partly exploring elements of King’s book that weren’t explored in Lambert’s film, and a twist that leaves us with something that feels all too familiar from films like The Ring, The Grudge and assorted possession films. 

There are also moments of the film that feel as though the edges were padded in order to not get too dark and to not entirely go there. Some of the handling of Church the cat, Gage and especially Zelda are not fully taken to the dark levels that Lambert’s adaptation traveled. The choices for Zelda especially leave a lot to be wanted. 

That isn’t too say those elements are totally done wrong because some of the scenes that are mixed in are positively haunting. I.e. a father sleeping next to a dead child or a recently reanimated child dancing in the family living room. There definitely is something that feels part familiar in a safe studio vein and then part creative Kölsch and Widmyer. 

Laurie Rose (Kill List, Free Fire, Overlord) is one of my favorite cinematographers working today and his work is again freaking mind blowing. He understands a haunting composition and offers them throughout creating menace in subtext while allowing enough room in the frame for the audience’s imagination to explore. His work here is again perfect. 

Added to Rose’s work Christopher Young scores the whole affair. That came as a complete and welcome surprise as the dude has done everything from Hellraiser to Drag Me to Hell. Entirely iconic, and proves that his genre soundscape sensibilities are still very much intact. 

As we all know at this point from King’s material “They don’t come back the same,” and well they don’t get remade the same either. Kölsch and Widmyer partly take things in a new direction and while there is that onemajor change, the reward is getting to explore elements of the book we hadn’t seen on screen before. Their vision is very much executed through their use of dark comedy, seething drama and and the ability to create fear without relying on cheap jump scares. 

Pet Sematary gets to the root of King and then slowly turns the screw. Despite some of its genre trope familiarities, it travels enough sour ground to successfully reach the stoniest horror fan hearts. It is entertaining from frame one and does a great job of creating an ending that is worth the entire price of admission alone.  

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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