🎬 Movie Review: Cujo (2025) (Watch below)
“Fear bites when it’s too close to home.”
The 2025 remake of Stephen King’s Cujo brings a terrifying modern update to the story of the rabid dog that terrorized a small town. Directed by John Carpenter, this adaptation not only revives the tense, psychological horror of the original but also amplifies it with contemporary themes of isolation, fear, and survival. Set in a rural town where the summer heat is as stifling as the growing sense of dread, Cujo (2025) takes us back to a world where terror lurks just outside the front door.
The plot follows Donna Trenton (played by Elizabeth Moss) and her son Tad (newcomer Evan Roe), who find themselves stranded at a mechanic’s house when their car breaks down. With the rising heat and no means of escape, they take shelter in the home of a large, seemingly docile Saint Bernard named Cujo. However, Cujo has been infected with rabies, and the once-friendly dog becomes a deadly and relentless predator. As the days drag on, Donna and Tad must find a way to escape, all while battling their own fear, desperation, and mounting physical threats.
Cujo (2025) shines in its ability to build tension. The heat, the isolation, and the mounting sense of helplessness are palpable, and Carpenter masterfully uses the dog’s relentless pursuit to bring an almost suffocating sense of dread. The visual effects used to portray Cujo are both terrifying and realistic, as the dog’s transformation from a lovable pet to a ferocious monster is chillingly executed. There’s no shortage of terrifying moments, and the pacing keeps the audience on edge, making every jump scare and every quiet moment of suspense feel earned.
At the heart of the film, however, is the relationship between Donna and Tad. As the horror unfolds, their survival becomes not just a physical battle but an emotional one. Moss delivers a stellar performance, capturing Donna’s fear, maternal instincts, and emotional turmoil as she fights not just for her life but for her son’s. Evan Roe, though relatively new to the industry, impresses as Tad, who is both vulnerable and brave in the face of danger. Their bond is the emotional core of the story, adding a layer of depth to the pure horror of the dog’s attack.
The film’s greatest strength lies in its exploration of fear—both the primal fear of survival and the deeper, psychological terror of being trapped with no way out. Carpenter blends both with skill, creating a movie that’s not only a straightforward monster tale but a study in how people react when their lives are reduced to sheer desperation. However, some may argue that the film, in modernizing the story, sacrifices some of the intimate horror that the original film captured in its quieter moments. The film’s pacing and intensity occasionally overwhelm the more subtle emotional beats.
Final Verdict: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Cujo (2025) is a taut, gripping remake that builds on the terror of the original while adding layers of modern horror. Though the film occasionally falters in its pacing, it delivers a suspenseful and emotionally charged story of survival that will leave you thinking about the thin line between man, animal, and the terror within.
