“Graveyard of the Cuddly Animals” is considered one of Stephen King’s best works, the 1989 film adaptation is a classic of the horror genre. With “Graveyard of the Cuddly Animals: Bloodlines” you can now stream the prequel on Paramount+.
To understand Stephen King, you should have read “Graveyard of the Cuddly Animals”. Although the novel belongs to the horror genre, the real strengths of the story lie buried in the vivid character drawing and the resulting reflection on guilt and grief. The eponymous (and truly gruesome) film adaptation by Mary Lambert (as well as the 2019 remake) concentrated a little too much on the supernatural horror – and thus did not do the original justice in its entirety.
Perhaps the prequel “Graveyard of the Cuddly Animals: Bloodlines” will return to the narrative virtues of Stephen King’s novel and aim to function not only as a horror film, but also as a sophisticated drama. From today, you can find out whether this is the case by subscribing to Paramount+, as the prequel to “Graveyard of the Cuddly Animals” celebrates its German premiere there.
THIS IS WHAT “CEMETERY OF THE CUDDLY ANIMALS: BLOODLINES “
IS ABOUT.
Maine, late 1960s. Jud Crandall (Jackson White) has a big dream: he wants to escape his sleepy hometown of Ludlow. He has already taken the first steps towards this goal. But before he can say goodbye, he comes across a dark secret that will change his fate forever.
A curse weighs on the grounds of a former Native American cemetery in his immediate neighbourhood: everything buried here after death comes back to life – but more viciously than before. Jud’s family history seems to be closely linked to all this, which soon makes him fear for his life…
A PREQUEL WITH POTENTIAL
Discussing the sense and nonsense of a prequel to “Graveyard of the Cuddly Animals” is, of course, most appropriate if you have seen the film. But the prequel has potential in any case. Jud, who also plays a central role in “Graveyard of the Cuddly Animals” and only reveals the secret surrounding the indigenous burial site here, connects a past to the graveyard that is as disturbing as it is mysterious. So it could be quite interesting to see how he became the man he is in the novel (or its film adaptations).
A whole day for the King of Horror!
“Graveyard of the Cuddly Animals: Bloodlines” – starting today exclusively on Paramount+!ParamountPlus ParamountPlusDE StephenKing Horror Shocker Weeks pic. twitter.com/5TUMCXv9pH
– ParamountPlusDE (@ParamountPlusDE) October 7, 2023
Graveyard of the Cuddly Animals: Bloodlines” was directed and written by Lindsey Beer, who has risen to become one of the hottest screenwriters in Hollywood in recent years. She has written the scripts for a “Star Trek” film that may be released at some point in the future, Disney’s live-action remake of “Bambi” and the Marvel adaptation “Silver Sable”, which has been called off for the time being.
While “Tell Me Lies” star Jackson White stars, the cast also includes Forrest Goodluck (“The Revenant”), Jack Mulhern (“Mare Of Easttown”), Henry Thomas (“Gangs Of New York”), Natalie Alyn Lind (“The Goldbergs”), Isabella Star LaBlanc (“True Detective”), Pam Grier (“Jackie Brown”) and “X-Files” and “Californication” star David Duchovny: Bloodlines”.
