Netflix’s Cujo Remake: Why It Must Stay True to the Book’s Dark Ending

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Summary

  • Netflix’s Cujo remake must stay true to the original book’s tragic ending for a dark and powerful story.
  • A higher kill count for Cujo will make it more frightening, like a classic Stephen King villain.
  • The tone of the new Cujo should be a true horror movie to avoid becoming campy or cheesy.

Back in 1981, Stephen King penned a chilling tale titled “Cujo,” and to this day, it remains one of his most haunting narratives. The story revolves around a once-gentle Saint Bernard that inexplicably turns violent. I vividly remember the 1983 film adaptation featuring the characters Vic (Daniel Hugh Kelly), Donna (Dee Wallace), and their son Tad (Danny Pintauro) as they grapple with the terrifying transformation of their beloved pet. Now, Netflix is bringing “Cujo” back to life on the silver screen, which has got me, as a devoted King fan, absolutely thrilled!

In more casual language,

Netflix’s latest movie, “Cujo,” is another adaptation of Stephen King’s work, following “The Running Man” and Mike Flanagan’s future series on “Carrie.” While it can be interesting to rejuvenate one of King’s classic films for modern audiences, it’s crucial that the remake of “Cujo” remains faithful to the original book’s ending.

Netflix’s Cujo Remake Needs To Use The Book’s Sad Ending

In Stephen King’s novel Cujo, published in 1981, Tad Trenton tragically succumbs to heatstroke and dehydration. Despite their continued mourning of their lost son, Vic and Donna Trenton carry on with their lives, as they were still married. The reason for this heart-wrenching scenario is that Cujo contracted rabies, turning him into a wild and menacing creature. Although the family held fond memories of Cujo, his absence from their lives is unbearable.

In the original 1983 film adaptation of “Cujo”, a departure from the source material occurred as Tad did not die, but instead, Donna killed Cujo and ensured Tad’s survival. Some might argue that this change was appropriate for the first movie, but it may not be suitable for the Netflix remake of “Cujo”. Instead, the new adaptation could mirror the dark tone of Osgood Perkins’s “The Monkey” by telling a grim story, which seems fitting given Stephen King’s penchant for science fiction and horror genres. It is unlikely that all members of the Trenton family would escape unscathed in the face of Cujo’s rampage.

In my opinion, for Cujo to truly embody the chilling essence of a Stephen King villain like Pennywise the Dancing Clown from IT, he must be as terrifying and deadly as possible. That’s because his menace lies in the number of victims he claims, just like Pennywise does. If Cujo were less dangerous, he wouldn’t instill the same fear. However, there are moments when Cujo seems more like a figment of someone’s imagination due to his dreamlike nature, similar to Pennywise for the members of the Losers Club. Yet, he is undeniably real.

Regarding the new Cujo movie, it could benefit from having a higher body count than the original, as this would make it more frightening. While The Monkey underwent significant changes from King’s novella, I believe that Cujo should not stray too far from its iconic source material to maintain its impact and memorability.

As a passionate cinephile, I firmly believe that the upcoming Netflix remake of “Cujo” should stick to the book’s grim ending to avoid slipping into campy and cheesy territory. While the 1983 film had its share of chilling moments, it sometimes veered towards the corny. To truly capture the essence of horror, the Netflix version needs to be darker and more authentic.

In contrast to many slasher films where the ‘final girl’ emerges victorious, “Cujo” is a fundamentally somber tale that requires a tragic ending. The original story is inherently sad and bleak, and the conclusion should reflect this melancholy tone.

What Did Stephen King Say About The 1983 Cujo Movie?

Among Stephen King’s adaptations, some, like Netflix’s “1922,” are underappreciated, while others, such as “Misery” and “The Shining,” have been discussed for many years. The 1983 movie version of “Cujo” isn’t often mentioned by fans and critics as much as the others, but what are King’s thoughts on it?

In 2022, King referred to “Cujo” during an interview on Netflix Tudum.com, and he commended Dee Wallace’s acting. He stated:

As for a film often overlooked in conversations, I’ve always felt that “Cujo” didn’t receive the recognition it deserved. Undeniably, Dee Wallace’s performance was outstanding, and I truly believe she deserved an Academy Award nomination for her role.

For quite some time, King has had ties to the ‘Cujo’ universe. On the podcast “Losers Club” by Bloody Disgusting in 2022, he mentioned his connection.

I’ve recently completed a gripping narrative titled “Rattlesnakes“. In this tale, there’s an intense sequence featuring twin brothers who are barely four years old. They unfortunately tumble into a pit filled with venomous rattlesnakes, leading to a heart-wrenching scene. This novella I’ve penned, “Rattlesnakes“, serves as a continuation of the storyline from “Cujo“.

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2025-03-13 21:34