Is Pet Sematary: Bloodlines based on a book?

Previous Pet Sematary adaptations have been based on the classic novel by Stephen King – so is forthcoming prequel Bloodlines also adapted from a book?

When Stephen King wrote Pet Sematary, he was inspired by two sources – the death of the family cat, which was hit by a truck, and got him wondering what would happen if said feline returned from the dead. And classic horror story ‘The Monkey’s Paw’ by W.W. Jacobs.

The result was a 1983 novel with the following synopsis: “The road in front of Dr. Louis Creed’s rural Maine home frequently claims the lives of neighborhood pets. Louis has recently moved from Chicago to Ludlow with his wife Rachel, their children and pet cat. Near their house, local children have created a cemetery for the dogs and cats killed by the steady stream of transports on the busy highway. Deeper in the woods lies another graveyard, an ancient Indian burial ground whose sinister properties Louis discovers when the family cat is killed.”

That book has been adapted into two movies, but is the new prequel also based on a novel?

Is Pet Sematary: Bloodlines based on a book?

No, Pet Sematary: Bloodlines is not based on a book. It’s an entirely original story for film, written by director Lindsey Anderson Beer, and screenwriter Jeff Buhler.

But it does revolve around a character from that original novel, as the protagonist is a 1960s version of Jud Crandall.

The film’s storyline as follows: “In 1969, a young Jud Crandall dreams of escaping his hometown, until he discovers the malevolent secrets of what is buried in a cemetery. He confronts a haunting family legacy that forever connects him to the place and unites with his childhood friends as they face an ancient evil that has plagued Ludlow from its inception”

Bloodlines won’t be the first Pet Sematary movie based on new material. As while 1989’s Pet Sematary was based on the King novel, 1992 sequel Pet Sematary Two was an original story by Richard Outten. One that so annoyed King that he had his name removed from the credits.

Bloodlines is a prequel to the more recent Pet Sematary. Meaning the Jud Crandall played by Jackson White is a young version of the character played by John Lithgow in the 2019 movie.

Pet Sematary: Bloodlines debuts at Fantastic Fest later this month, from where we’ll be posting a review. The prequel then drops on Paramount+ on October 6, 2023.

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