With the second adaptation of Stephen King’s Pet Sematary making its way into theaters, star Jason Clarke opened up about which scene from the film was the scariest to film. With plenty to pick from in what some refer to as King’s scariest novel, Clarke’s idea of “scary” leans closer to an emotionally disturbing experience than a classic supernatural scare.
Based on King’s 1983 novel of the same name, Pet Sematary follows a family of four who relocate to a small town in Maine for work. However, what starts off as an idyllic fresh start quickly results in unspeakable horrors. After Louis Creed (Clarke) learns about a burial ground deep in the woods rumored to bring the dead back to life, he ultimately gives into its allure the moment he faces personal tragedy - even though he’s well aware of the cost. Originally adapted by director Mary Lambert in 1989, this version takes a few creative liberties with the story, judging by the trailer, but not at the expense of Pet Sematary’s most disturbing elements.
At the film’s SXSW premiere, Clarke spoke to Dread Central about his experience on the adaptation and was asked which scene was the scariest to film. Bringing up one of the biggest changes from the source material - the fact that Louis’ daughter dies in the film, as opposed to his younger son - Clarke explained that the scariest scene involved digging up his character’s daughter in the middle of the night “in a real cemetery.” He said:
As for why Pet Sematary’s directors, Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer, decided to change the Creed child who dies in the film from Gage to Ellie, it was purely for practical reasons. They explained that they simply wanted to set their film apart, and that the effect of bringing a toddler back from the dead is only “effective when done right.”
“The scariest scene in the film was at 4 a.m., in a real cemetery, digging up my daughter who is nine feet under. More than six; it was quite deep, that hole. In the rain. It was horrible. Terrible.”
King enthusiasts have already taken some umbrage at the fact that this new adaptation is making a significant change to the novel, but that’s exactly the beauty of adaptations - no matter how different they may turn out, they can still coexist with the source material. Nothing changes. So, if this change runs the risk of being make-or-break with some fans, then so be it; but when all is said and done, King’s novel isn’t going anywhere. Fans will have three unique options to turn to in the realm of Pet Sematary, whether or not one might be more satisfying than another.
More: Every Stephen King Movie Ranked, From Worst To Best
Source: Dread Central
