Stephen King's Pet Sematary is one of his most chilling and disturbing novels. It's a story about a family who moves to a new house in Maine and discovers a pet cemetery in the woods behind their home. When the family's cat is killed, they bury it in the cemetery, and it comes back to life, but it's not the same cat anymore. It's become a vicious and evil creature. The family soon learns that the pet cemetery has a dark and sinister history, and they must fight for their lives to escape its evil.

There have been two film adaptations of Pet Sematary, one in 1989 and one in 2019. Both films have their strengths and weaknesses, but which one is closer to the book? Let's take a look at both films and compare them to the novel.

Which Pet Sematary Movie Is Closer to the Book?

1989 Pet Sematary

The 1989 Pet Sematary film is generally considered to be the more faithful adaptation of the novel. It follows the story closely, and it captures the dark and disturbing atmosphere of the book. The film's cast is excellent, with Dale Midkiff and Fred Gwynne giving standout performances as Louis and Jud Crandall, respectively. The film also features some truly terrifying moments, such as the scene where Gage is attacked by Zelda.

However, the 1989 film does have some flaws. The pacing is a bit slow at times, and some of the special effects have not aged well. Additionally, the film's ending is significantly different from the book's ending, which some fans found to be disappointing.

2019 Pet Sematary

The 2019 Pet Sematary film is a more modern adaptation of the novel. It takes some significant liberties with the story, but it still manages to capture the essence of the book. The film's cast is also excellent, with Jason Clarke and John Lithgow giving strong performances as Louis and Jud Crandall. The film also features some impressive special effects, particularly in the scenes where the resurrected pets attack the family.

However, the 2019 film also has some flaws. The changes that the film makes to the story are not always successful, and some of the new characters and subplots feel unnecessary. Additionally, the film's ending is even more different from the book's ending than the 1989 film's ending, which may disappoint some fans.

Conclusion

So, which Pet Sematary movie is closer to the book? It depends on what you're looking for. If you're looking for a faithful adaptation of the novel, then the 1989 film is probably the better choice. However, if you're looking for a more modern and visually stunning adaptation, then the 2019 film might be a better choice. Ultimately, the best way to decide which film is closer to the book is to read the novel and then watch both films.