Sequels in the horror genre often face an uphill battle. Filmmakers are tasked with a delicate balancing act: honoring the spirit and established rules of the original film while simultaneously delivering something fresh and unexpected. They need to satisfy die-hard fans and also entice newcomers into the terrifying world they’ve created. Is it possible to expand upon a beloved story without diminishing its impact, or worse, becoming a pale imitation? The history of horror sequels is littered with examples of both triumphs and spectacular failures. If filmmakers always played it safe, we might never have gotten audacious, genre-bending entries like Bride of Frankenstein or Evil Dead 2. However, we also might have been spared the likes of Troll 2 or Leprechaun in Space.
When it comes to 1992’s Pet Sematary Two, directed by Mary Lambert who also helmed the original Pet Sematary, opinions are certainly divided. Many fans and critics dismiss it as an unnecessary and inferior follow-up, lacking the emotional depth and chilling atmosphere of its predecessor, based on Stephen King’s terrifying novel. Yet, for some viewers, Pet Sematary Two holds a strange, almost magnetic appeal. It falls squarely into “guilty pleasure” territory – a film that is undeniably flawed but possesses a certain bizarre charm that keeps us coming back for more.
On the surface, Pet Sematary Two attempts to connect itself to the first film through thematic and narrative echoes. The writers clearly did some homework, trying to recapture elements that made the original Pet Sematary so potent. However, their approach often feels heavy-handed and predictable. It’s as if they approached the sequel with a checklist of familiar tropes: a family moves to Ludlow, a pet dies tragically, the mysterious Indian burial ground beckons. The attempts at mirroring the original film sometimes veer into the realm of parody. Where the first film centered on a family with a cat that met a grim fate, Pet Sematary Two gives us a dog. Instead of a doctor father, we get a veterinarian father. These parallel elements, while intended to create a sense of continuity, often come across as contrived and lacking in originality. The screenplay feels like a paint-by-numbers exercise in sequel creation, hitting expected beats without truly delving into the unsettling core of the Pet Sematary mythos.
Edward Furlong in Pet Sematary Two, looking concerned and thoughtful against a blurry wooded background.
Furthermore, Pet Sematary Two struggles with internal consistency and logic. The rules surrounding the pet sematary and its reanimating powers become muddled and inconsistent. In the original Pet Sematary, the implication was clear: the ground corrupts, turning resurrected beings into twisted versions of their former selves. Good becomes evil. Pet Sematary Two initially toys with an intriguing reversal – suggesting that burying someone evil might result in a less malevolent return. This could have been a fascinating angle to explore, but the film quickly abandons this nuance. The first villain resurrected, while initially appearing somewhat improved, soon devolves into a murderous psychopath, seemingly negating the “evil becomes less evil” premise. Adding to the confusion, this resurrected character becomes strangely subservient to Edward Furlong’s character, further straining credibility. Beyond the supernatural inconsistencies, there are basic plot holes. The age difference between Anthony Edwards and Edward Furlong, playing father and son, is jarringly unrealistic, a detail seemingly overlooked in favor of casting recognizable actors.
One of the core issues with Pet Sematary Two might be its ambition – or perhaps, over-ambition. While Pet Sematary focused intensely on grief, loss, and the devastating consequences of refusing to let go, Pet Sematary Two attempts to juggle a multitude of complex themes. It tackles teenage angst, bullying, the challenges of fitting in at a new school, the trauma of losing a parent (and a pet), abusive relationships, step-parent dynamics, and, of course, zombies. Packed into a relatively short runtime of around 100 minutes, none of these weighty subjects are given the space they deserve to be explored with depth and sensitivity. The film feels thematically overcrowded, sacrificing nuanced character development and sustained tension in favor of rapidly moving from one plot point to the next. It’s almost baffling that the same director, Mary Lambert, helmed both films, given their vastly different approaches to storytelling and thematic focus.
Despite these numerous shortcomings, Pet Sematary Two retains a peculiar and undeniable charm for a segment of horror fans. It’s hard to articulate precisely why it works as a “guilty pleasure,” but certain elements contribute to its enduring appeal. Clancy Brown, as the abusive step-father and town sheriff, delivers a memorably menacing performance. He embodies villainy with a chilling charisma that elevates every scene he’s in. Jared Rushton, previously known for his endearing role in Big, is brilliantly detestable as the quintessential high school bully. His portrayal is so effectively cruel and unsettling that he genuinely terrifies, embodying the anxieties of adolescence and the fear of social hierarchies. Anthony Edwards, while perhaps miscast as a father to a teenager, brings his characteristic likability and earnestness to the role, making him inherently watchable. The film’s autumnal New England setting and small-town atmosphere also contribute to its nostalgic appeal, evoking a specific time and place that resonates with viewers who grew up in the early 1990s.
Ultimately, Pet Sematary Two exists in that strange cinematic space where flaws become endearing quirks. Its illogical plot points, dated hard rock soundtrack, and over-the-top performances contribute to a unique and strangely comforting viewing experience. It feels like the kind of movie you might stumble upon on late-night cable television, a slightly trashy but undeniably entertaining slice of 90s horror. And for some of us, that nostalgic, “guilty pleasure” feeling is precisely what makes Pet Sematary Two worth revisiting, again and again.
