31 More Days of Horror: Cujo (1983)

Centered on man’s best friend becoming a rabid demon, Cujo doesn’t require much of its audience because the believability is there. Here an untold gritty intensity is found in the mundane that will haunt you.

The Chamber’s family pet, Cujo, is a lovable St. Bernard. But an unfortunate romp in the fields results in Cujo being bitten. The dog’s health begins to deteriorate slowly. In the meantime, we the viewer get to learn about the soon to become prey.

Donna Trenton (Dee Wallace), wife of Vic and mother to Tad, is a typical housewife. Raising young Tad and combating the monsters in the closet are the highlights of her routine. But Donna is having an affair with Vic’s friend Steve. Vic takes it hard, but is determined to move forward.

As the movie simmers, we learn about the neighbors and their secrets. We explore more of Donna’s indiscretions. Essentially director Lewis Teague is asking us to judge them as he sets them up to pay for their sins. As Cujo becomes more disoriented and irritated, we have made our choices and are ready for penitence.

Cujo is a well-crafted traumatic experience. Ultimately, it’s the idea of it all that makes it so hard-hitting. But Teague makes the tension and claustrophobia real. Well-realized characters—especially Donna—furthers the fear wonderfully. Her emotionally-draining performance is chilling.

The final stand in the Pinto is nail-biting. The heat of the sun is bearing down up mother and son. Kudos to Teague! We know Cujo is waiting to strike, but do they chance dehydration or the dog? It’s a valid conundrum. Again the realism is terrifying.

Cujo is a solid thriller—one of King’s better adaptations, but it doesn’t get the billing of Misery. Sad, but I think it’s easily explained. With this film, you have to invest some time upfront for the nasty payoff. If you’re willing to do that, you’re guaranteed a terrifying good time.