Unveiling the Director's Bold Transformation: The Game-Changing Evolution of Pet Sematary: Bloodlines

Summary

Director Lindsey Anderson Beer explains the major story change in Pet Sematary: Bloodlines.

The inclusion of Indigenous characters in the new prequel movie is a deliberate effort to challenge and surpass the clichéd portrayal of mystical Indigenous characters. Beer aimed to depict that the responsibility for the dark force in Pet Sematary does not lie on the shoulders of Donna and Manny, the Indigenous characters.

One significant change in Pet Sematary: Bloodlines has been explained by director and co-writer Lindsey Anderson Beer. The film, currently available for streaming on Paramount+, serves as a prequel to the 2019 adaptation of Stephen King's story of the same name. It revolves around a family that moves to Ludlow, Maine, where they discover a mysterious pet cemetery that has the power to resurrect the dead. However, the focus of the new movie is on Jud Crandall (played by Jackson White), their neighbor, who uncovers the horrifying secret of the cemetery during his younger years.

Dread Central interviewed Lindsey Anderson Beer, delving into the story, cast, and everything in between in Pet Sematary: Bloodlines. Throughout the conversation, Beer discussed the significance of incorporating Indigenous characters Donna (portrayed by Isabella Star LaBlanc) and her brother Manny (played by Forrest Goodluck). This decision was motivated by the fact that the original Pet Sematary had used a mystical Indigenous trope that is no longer appropriate. Beer aimed to demonstrate that the dark force in Pet Sematary does not belong to or define Indigenous people. Her full statement can be found below.

Horror is Slowly Moving Away from Indigenous Tropes

When I initially discussed this project, I made it clear that I couldn't proceed unless I could subvert these overused storytelling elements. While I have a deep appreciation for Pet Sematary, it's evident that relying on the stereotype of the mystical Indigenous and the cursed land no longer resonates with audiences. Additionally, it seemed apparent that Pet Sematary had incorporated these tropes without offering a meaningful perspective for these characters. Hence, it became incredibly important to me to introduce Donna and highlight the sibling bond between her and Manny, emphasizing that they shouldn't be burdened with the consequences of these clichés. It's not their responsibility to bear.

Indigenous tropes have been frequently employed in the horror genre within American storytelling. An influential example is 1979's The Amityville Horror, where it is revealed that the haunted house was constructed on an Indigenous burial ground. While Poltergeist is often mistakenly associated with this trope, it is actually Poltergeist II: The Other Side that features a stereotypical Native American shaman. Many other films of that era also indulge in similar tropes.

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Indigenous representation in American pop culture has been gradually transforming in recent years. One notable example is the FX show, Reservation Dogs, which made history by being the first American show to feature an entirely indigenous team of writers and directors, along with a predominantly indigenous cast. The series revolves around the lives of four teenagers residing on an Oklahoma reservation, showcasing the different obstacles and successes they encounter on a daily basis.

The horror genre has also witnessed the positive impact of improved representation. A notable example of this shift in perspective on Indigenous cultures can be seen in the introduction of characters from Pet Sematary: Bloodlines. Furthermore, the 2022 Hulu original movie Prey, a prequel to Predator, set in the Great Plains in 1719, follows the story of Naru, a young Comanche woman portrayed by Amber Midthunder. Naru demonstrates her bravery as a warrior while confronting a formidable alien threat.