MovieChat Forums > Pet Sematary (1989) Discussion > Why couldn't Louis think about his still...

Why couldn't Louis think about his still living daughter and move on?

posted 8 years ago by krycek19
21 replies | jump to latest

I know this is a horror-movie and I know the feeling of wanting passed away loved ones to return to me. But Louis still had his daughter Ellen to take care off. In real life, people move on and take care of the ones of their kids that are still alive. Ellen was obviously as upset as her parents about Gages death. And yet they didn't seem to care about her. It was all about Gage. I love the book and the movie, but it would have made more sense if Gage was their only child.

Also, when Jud sensed what was going on after talking to Rachel over the phone, why didn't he just go after Louis and try to stop him? Instead of drinking himself into a stupor and fall asleep.

[–] keiraussher 8 years ago

Every character was being manipulated by the power in the burial ground (whether that is the wendigo or something less definable is I think personal interpretation). In the book Jud more or less implies that he is the last one left who knows about the burial grounds ability, so it makes sense that he is manipulated into perpetuating the practice.

Also in the novel, it is more obvious that the characters are being manipulated, even down to Church's first death. Rachel can't keep her eyes open on the drive until it's too late, then suddenly she's buzzing. Jud does everything in his power to intercept Louis and avoid falling asleep but he feels it dragging him down. Church never has a tendency to wander until he is hit by a truck. There are several more well explained examples. The end goal of this power is.... for everyone involved to die? It is a horror story after all. (Though truthfully this is one part I don't get and why I believe King left the novel ending more ambiguous)

I guess my summary would be that the film makes it appear as though the actions of Louis are done out of grief and a sense of responsibility, but in the novel it is explained as a manipulation by a force more powerful than he can resist.

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] I_am_legend_maker_still 8 years ago

Pet Semetary really is a story about a parent's worst nightmare, made even worse.

Even putting aside any and all manipulation, the central theme of the story is "If a parent was offered a way to revive a child, they would be unable to resist no matter how they were warned it was bad." It's that concept that's so damn horrifying. There's a bit in the book where Louis briefly has a moment of sanity and ponders what in the hell is he going to do even if the burial ground works without issue and Gage comes back from the dead normal, how the hell is he going to explain it to his wife and daughter, how the hell is he going to explain it to society...and he basically doubles down because the question has no answer and yet HE DOESN'T STOP.

And I'm fairly sure that if were were somehow put in the exact same situation (and that includes not knowing about Pet Semetary the story, just like Louis was not aware he was in a horror novel), most of us would charge headlong right off the same cliff.

[–] whitespirit26 7 years ago

Exactly right Legend, and King even says as much basically in his 2000 intro in the book.

[–] apriloish 8 years ago

the simple answer is he simply went crazy he just couldnt think logical at that point in real life if my child died an i thought or found out a demonic burial ground was the reason the truck hit him i would destroy the evil in the woods i would purify the burial ground an destroy it but thats not what this film was really about its meant to be a tragedy about a person who cant deal with death in the right way so he deteriorates into crazy

[–] whitespirit26 7 years ago

Ok, the first two posts here are BS. We never had reason to think Gage was the favorite and my Lord people, a TODDLER just died; I'm amazed the parents were functioning at all so soon after the death. But when they did, they took good care of their daughter. Louis made the mistake of thinking he could have both his children and surprise his daughter and wife with Gage's return. He was just plain losing it.

[–] TalesfromTheCryptfan 7 years ago

Yeh Jud should had not drank and Louis couldn't move on as he thought Gage was his only child you know as he should be concerned about his other living child to move on to keep the memories of Gage alive.

"Unicorn, mermaid, vampire,sorceress! No name you'd give her would surprise me i love whom i love"

[–] Pedro645 7 years ago

Various reasons. Gage was the youngest and appeared to have the closest bond with Louis and Louis may have felt he was responsible for Gage's death since he couldn't reach his boy in time.

Men might appear to have a tough exterior however many find it difficult to deal with loss and Louis couldn't think straight because his grieving made himself blind to logic. His daughter or Jud couldn't get to Louis.

[–] johnmiller (3373) 5 years ago

Because, then, you wouldn't have a horror movie.