In the book The World According to Garp, John Irving explores the theme of parental fear of being unable to protect one’s children from harm. “Pet Semetary” (1989) shares this theme as only Stephen King could interpret it, with a screenplay written by him based on his book with the same title. Directed by Mary Lambert, it is a twisted tale of grief and what horrors can be unleashed by those suffering from a loss that is too much to bear.

The Creed family relocate to a rural New England town where father Louis Creed (Dale Midkiff) will be the new resident doctor for the local college. With two young children in tow, their beautiful new farmhouse comes with a troubling location right next to a busy highway that is frequented by speeding semi-trailers. A grand tour of a pet cemetery located behind the house is conducted by their new neighbor, Jud Crandall (Fred Gwynne). Apparently, the highway has claimed many pets in town and all have been buried coincidently and conveniently near the Creed’s new home. Continue reading 31 Days of Horror, Day 12: Pet Semetary