Pet Sematary

Pet Sematary

Year: 1989

Runtime: 103 min

Language: English

ThrillerHorror

In rural Maine, Jud Crandall's peaceful existence is shattered by unsettling secrets and a looming family curse. He discovers a pet cemetery with the power to resurrect the deceased, but this seemingly miraculous ability comes with a terrifying price. As Jud investigates the town’s dark history and the origins of the burial ground, he and his friends must confront an ancient evil threatening to consume Ludlow. Uncovering the truth becomes a desperate fight for survival against forces beyond their understanding.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Pet Sematary (1989)

Trace every key event in Pet Sematary (1989) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

The Move to Ludlow

The Creed family relocates from the bustling city of Chicago to the tranquil small town of Ludlow, Maine. They seek a fresh start in a quieter environment while adjusting to their new surroundings.

Ludlow, Maine
2

Meeting Jud Crandell

The Creeds soon befriend their elderly neighbor, Jud Crandell. Jud introduces the family to the mysterious pet cemetery located behind their new home, which is humorously misspelled 'Sematary'.

Pet Cemetery, Ludlow
3

Victor Pascow's Warning

While working at the University of Maine, Louis Creed treats Victor Pascow, a young man involved in a severe car accident. Despite his efforts, Victor dies but warns Louis about the dangers related to the pet cemetery before his passing.

University of Maine
4

The Dream Visit

That night, Louis has a vivid dream in which Victor visits him again, warning him more urgently about the burial ground. Louis wakes up to find his feet inexplicably covered in dirt, hinting at a deeper connection to the cemetery.

5

Church's Death

Tragedy strikes when Church, the family cat owned by Louis' daughter Ellie, is killed by a truck while Ellie, Rachel, and Gage are in Chicago. This loss weighs heavily on the family and sets off a chain of events.

Front of the Creed house, Ludlow
6

Burying Church

Jud takes Louis to the ancient Micmac Indian burial ground, a place rumored to possess dark powers, to bury Church. Louis learns through questioning that no living person has ever been buried there, heightening his unease.

Micmac burial ground
7

Church Returns

Later that night, Church returns from the dead, but not as the same cat Louis once knew. He becomes a malevolent version of himself, signaling the consequences of tampering with death.

8

Gage's Tragic Death

The following spring, a devastating accident occurs when young Gage is killed by a truck on the same road. The Creed family is engulfed by grief, and Rachel’s emotional state becomes increasingly fragile.

Road near Ludlow
9

Conflict at Gage's Wake

During Gage's wake, tensions rise as Rachel's father, Irwin, confronts Louis, blaming him for their son's death. In a heated altercation, Louis punches Irwin, causing Gage's coffin to topple and intensifying their sorrow.

Creed home
10

Jud's Warning

Louis, consumed by grief, contemplates burying Gage in the Micmac ground. Jud warns him about the horrific consequences of such an act, recounting the dreadful tale of Timmy Baterman and the horrors that followed.

11

Rachel's Departure

In a bid to escape their overwhelming pain, Rachel decides to visit her parents in Chicago and implores Louis to join her. Louis, however, refuses, choosing to confront the weight of his grief alone.

Chicago
12

The Final Decision

Despite Pascow's earlier warnings, Louis digs up Gage’s body with the intent of using the Micmac burial ground. His desperation blinds him to the possible consequences of his actions.

Cemetery
13

Gage's Return

Following Gage's burial, the toddler returns, but he is a sinister version of himself, having been influenced by the dark power of the burial ground. Gage's malicious actions contribute to a horrific sequence of events.

Creed home
14

Rachel's Fatal Encounter

Rachel returns to find Gage in an upstairs bedroom with a scalpel. In a tragic twist, she does not recognize the danger, leading to her own murder at the hands of her resurrected son.

Jud's house
15

The Fiery Conclusion

In the climax, Louis kills Gage, feeling the weight of his decisions. He sets fire to the house, hoping to cleanse the evil, yet is met with a haunting final scene as Rachel returns to him in a gruesome form.

Last Updated: January 18, 2025 at 14:36

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Pet Sematary Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Pet Sematary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Pet Sematary

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