You are not ready forKevin KölschandDennisWidmyer’s big screen adaptation ofPet Sematary. As a huge fan of theStephen Kingsource material, perhaps this was just my mind running wild with high hopes and expectations, but I just couldn’t imagine a big studio like Paramount giving the duo the OK to jump feet first into a book about grief and embrace all of those unpleasant and sinister themes in a nationwide release. Turns out, I was very wrong. Not only does Kölsch and Widmyer’s movie tread into some very dark territory, but they also get to honor King’s novel while putting their own spin on the story. How’s that for an exciting combination?
For those unfamiliar with the book or the 1989 film directed byMary Lambert,Pet Sematarycenters on the Creed family. In this rendition,Jason ClarkeandAmy Seimetzstep in as Louis and Rachel Creed. They decide it’s time for the family to ditch the big city and move to rural Maine so that they can spend a little more quality time with their kids, Ellie (Jeté Laurence) and Gage (Hugo and Lucas Lavoie). Their new home sweet home seems great, but that’s because when they first move in, they’re entirely unaware of the threat that lurks right in their own backyard.
WithPet Sematarymaking its big debut at SXSW 2019, I recently got to sit down with Kölsch and Widmyer in Austin for an extended podcast interview during which we covered everything from looking back to when they first went after the project in 2014, discussing how the success of 2017’sITmight have influenced their opportunity here, figuring out where to drop in Stephen King Easter eggs, and so much more. You can hear about it all using the audio embed below:
Be sure to catchPet Sematarywhen it hits theaters on April 5th. If you haven’t readmy reviewyet, I highly recommend it!
Kevin Kölsch & Dennis Widmyer:
