During my childhood, Tim Curry’s portrayal of Pennywise the Clown was the stuff of genuine nightmares. Between that gravelly, cackling delivery, his grotesque appearance, and his habit of lurking in the shadows, he terrified me at an age when I had no business watching horror. Years later, revisiting the 1990 ABC miniseries, I realized that while Curry’s performance remains iconic, the production itself hasn’t aged well. The acting often leans into melodramatic caricature, and the scares—outside of Pennywise—feel remarkably dated and campy.
I still hold a soft spot for Stephen King horror adaptations, regardless of their quality. There is a distinct charm to the “so-bad-it’s-good” category: a blend of genuine thrills, unintentional humor, and at least one standout performance that saves the project. This describes the 1989 adaptation of Pet Sematary perfectly. Fortunately, as of July 1, you can dive back into this eerie classic for free.
Pet Sematary, directed by Mary Lambert with a screenplay penned by King himself, follows a family that relocates to rural Maine, settling far too close to a perilous highway. After their family cat meets a tragic end, their neighbor, the enigmatic Jud Crandall (Fred Gwynne), introduces them to a local burial ground with the power to resurrect the dead. The cat returns, but it’s fundamentally altered—embittered, foul-smelling, and prone to malice. It’s an unsettling introduction to the “zombie” trope.
The stakes escalate when their young son, Gage, is struck by a truck. Ignoring Jud’s haunting warning that “sometimes, dead is better,” the grieving father attempts to use the site to bring his son home. The result is a creature that wears the face of a child but possesses a cold, murderous intent.
The film certainly delivers on atmospheric dread. Miko Hughes, the child actor behind Gage, is masterfully creepy, and the production design effectively channels the oppressive gloom of the source material. However, the film is not without its cheesier elements. The adult performances can occasionally feel like a daytime soap opera, and the portrayal of the older sister, Ellie, is somewhat jarring compared to her younger brother’s chillingly effective performance. Furthermore, the decision to close the film with the Ramones’ track “Pet Sematary”—while a great song—strips away the grim tension that the movie worked so hard to build.
The film’s true anchor is Fred Gwynne. Best remembered as Herman Munster, Gwynne sheds his comedic past to deliver an unsettling, gravel-voiced performance as Jud Crandall. He captures the essence of the character with such gravitas that he remains the most compelling presence on screen whenever he appears. His distinct Maine drawl and eerie warnings were so memorable that South Park eventually paid homage to the performance with their own “Farmer Fred” character.
Whether you are a completist of Stephen King’s work, a fan of 80s horror tropes, or simply curious about the inspiration behind the South Park parody, Pet Sematary is worth a watch. It isn’t a flawless masterpiece, but its unique tone and iconic performance by Gwynne make it a classic of the genre. Since it is currently streaming for free on Pluto TV, there is no better time to witness the tragedy of the Creed family for yourself.
Source: Polygon
