Directed by Lindsey Anderson Beer, “Pet Sematary: Bloodlines” is a 2023 horror movie featuring the likes of Jackson White, Natalie Alyn Lind, Forrest Goodluck, Isabella LaBlanc, Henry Thomas, Jack Mulhern, David Duchovny, Pam Grier, and more. Set in the infamous town of Ludlow, the movie follows the story of Jud Crandall, whose dreams of joining the Peace Corps and skipping town end up in a ditch when the town’s sinister secret becomes hunting the townfolks one by one.
Pet Sematary: Bloodlines (2023) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
The movie kicks off with a haunting narration spilling the beans about the history of Pet Sematary. For kids, the place was where they buried their dead pets, but centuries ago, the local Mi’kmaq tribe used it to summon animal spirits so they could protect their tribe folks from an ancient and sinister evil that lived just beyond the Pet Sematary. That evil manipulates people by whispering into their ears with promises of bringing their loved ones back. The movie introduces us to Judson Crandall (Jackson White) of Ludlow, a place where the original Pet Sematary is set. Judson encounters Bill Bateman, who reveals that his son, Timmy Bateman (Jack Mulhern), is back from the war in Vietnam after being dishonorably discharged and earning himself a nice medal.
On the other hand, Judson is soon to leave town with his other half, Norma (Natalie Alyn Lind), and join the Peace Corps to begin a new chapter of his otherwise monotonous life. Unfortunately, while the couple was driving out of town, a bird flew through his windshield. They exit the car and shockingly find Bill’s dog, Hendrix, continuously growling and looking at their car, hinting that something’s wrong with him. The couple leads Hendrix to Timmy’s house. But suddenly, Hendrix goes wild and bites Norma.
Judson tries calling Timmy to control Hendrix, but the latter chooses not to intervene. Timmy stood there unfazed as if nothing was happening. Judson takes Norma to the hospital and encounters Manny (Forrest Goodluck), one of his oldest friends. Manny was there to see a doctor after he fell and got hurt in the field. Judson tells him about Timmy, like how he didn’t even lift a finger to save Norma. However, Manny stresses that it was probably because of his time in Nam.
What Happened to Timmy? Why is he acting differently?
The war changes many people; it messes with their minds, psyches, social interactions, and everything, but whatever is happening to Timmy has nothing to do with the war. He seems to know things that he shouldn’t have known in the first place, like what was in Washburn’s father’s suicide note. Timmy even uses his against her, telling her to hang herself just like her father. This is just the tip of the iceberg as Timmy infiltrates Donna’s (Isabella LaBlanc) dance party and grabs her by her waist, telling her she and Manny will never leave Ludlow and will eventually die here.
Margerie is the first one to make sense of Timmy’s erratic and overly disrespected behavior. She kills Timmy’s dogs and calls an emergency meeting with her old friends- Sheriff Aderson, Dan Crandall, Henry Thomas, and Mayor Hannibal. Marjorie is one of the oldest residents of Ludlow, old enough to see that whatever is happening to Timmy isn’t PTSD. It rather has something to do with this cursed town and its sordid history. Also, stirring our oldest memories, knowing your darkest secret, and using them against you is a major giveaway that something is not right.
Marjorie insists they kill Timmy before he begins his killing spree. But what really happened to Timmy? Why’s he not himself? In reality, Timmy died in the war and came home in a wooden coffin wrapped in an American flag. His father, Ben (David Duchovny), couldn’t bear the pain of losing his only son and did something that he should’ve never done. He struck a deal with the evil in return for resurrecting his son. But there’s a saying that the buried ones never return; if they do, they aren’t the ones you buried. The same can be said for Timmy, as the one who walked out of the grave wasn’t him.
Curse of Ludlow? What Is It?
The town derives its name from one Captain Ludlow, who, along with his few men, was tasked with finding suitable lands for farming and settling in. Ludlow found something and immediately sent a message to Captain Williams. Williams arrived at the place, and rather than finding fertile land, he found strange masks, eerie symbols carved into the woods, and Ludlow feeding on the carcasses of dead animals and men. Like Ludlow, many were swallowed by the woods. In layman’s term, the woods was a mouth of evil, and anything buried there would come back to life.
Out of desperation, people tried to do whatever they could to save their lives, spewing holy crosses, calling upon the spirit of the animals, and whatnot, but it was never enough. Ultimately, they were all swallowed by the woods. Everyone knew this, even those who settled into the town in the coming centuries, like Bill, but he still chose to feed the evil. Judson also learns about the same reading in a diary given to him by the church’s priest. The diary also revealed that his family- Crandalls, was one of the founding families of Ludlow.
Pet Sematary: Bloodlines (2023) Movie Ending Explained:
What Happens to Jud, Manny, & Nora?
Ben finally reflects on his decision, realizing he has woken something that should’ve been left alone. However, he’s a bit too late as Timmy has already started his killing spree with Donna, Manny’s sister. Donna then makes her way to the hospital where Norma is being treated and preys on her darkest secret. She questions her faith in god and calls out the good-girl attitude she puts to dupe people. Norma tries everything in her power to save herself. But in the end, Donna abducts her and takes her to Ben’s house. All the patriarchs of the founding families, alongside Judson and Manny, gather outside Ben’s house to save the girls and put a stop to this madness. Ben, who is now abreast of what he has done, also decides to help.
The group enters Ben’s house and, like dominoes, falls victim to Timmy’s and Donna’s murderous rampage. Donna even stabs and kills Judson’s dad, leaving Manny with no choice but to shoot her right between her eyes. Timmy sets the house on fire, and with no other choice, Manny, Ben, and Judson seek shelter in the house’s cellar. Therein, they find a tunnel leading, branching into three directions. Subsequently, Manny, Ben, and Judson decide to take one. Timmy shows himself, kills Ben, and drags Manny into the jungle. Judson rushes after Manny, forcing Timmy to leave Manny behind and disappear into the thickness of the woods.
Unfortunately, Manny lands on some sort of tripwire and can’t move, as any sudden movement will end up in him being blown to bits. Timmy once again attacks Judson. However, Manny kills him by firing a flare gun straight into his eyes, ending the horror, at least for some time. Norma also manages to dig herself out of the grave Timmy, and Donna put her in. Towards the end of “Pet Sematary: Bloodlines,” Judson and Norma decide to remain in Ludlow so that they may continue the townsfolk’s legacy of protecting the village from evil. Manny, on the other hand, decides to follow his sister’s advice and leaves Ludlow, the cursed town.
