Their neighbour Jud (Fred Gwynne) takes a shine to the family and Louis in particular.
When tragedy strikes, the sinister significance of the Micmac burial ground near the cemetery becomes clear.
He adapts his own work here and sticks to that approach.
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That atmosphere is key here.
From the opening scenes when the family arrive at their Maine home, death is never very far away.
Some really effective make-up effects provide the audience with its first outright shock.
The answer is, of course, a big fat no.
Not that that stops Louis.
Sometimes, there is nothing more sinister than a chuckle.
When he finally does appear, its impossible to see him as anything but a devil child.
Everything included is necessary for the brilliant payoff and ensures that those final scenes stick the landing.
Its a big factor inPet Sematarys unsettling atmosphere and it wouldnt be the same film without it.
A King thing:Evil places.
The Micmac burial ground is a classic example of a place warped by something sinister.
Join me next time, Constant Reader, forTales From The Darkside.
