My Thoughts While Watching… Cujo (1983) [Trigger Warning: Child Endangerment & Animal Threat]

I’ve seen plenty of Buzzfeed posts floating around where people write a list of thoughts while watching a movie. I read one years ago where someone watched all of the Harry Potter movies for the first time while live tweeting and writing a post per movie. I still quote a lot of what he said to this day. #Wood4Wood.

Anyway, I have taken inspiration and have decided to try it for myself. Of course they will be horror movies and possibly TV shows. They don’t have to be first time watches. It just gives me something productive to do while watching TV.

I will number everything to kind of break it up and there will be SPOILERS. Here we go…

WARNING: the movie covers topics of child endangerment and animal threat. Also, the dog does die at the end. There will be a couple of screenshots, but nothing too graphic. If you’re not in the right headspace for these topics or are triggered by them then I recommend giving this post a miss.

This is my second watch of this movie. It was due to come off Netflix so I thought I’d rewatch it while I have the chance.
The happy opening music reminds me of Carrie. Mr. King is leading us into a false sense of security and comfort before making us all extremely uncomfortable.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
This may be the saddest moment ever in a Stephen King adaptation. The dog was just being a dog and chasing a bunny. I don’t care for that behaviour, personally, as the owner of two cats I know they can be monsters. However, the bunny escaped because they’re really fast (see Watership Down’s opening story), and that genuinely beautiful poochy didn’t deserve to get mauled by a bat.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
The flute isn’t helping my sadness.
Is there a faulty magic switch that keeps opening that closet door or is there a killer clown hiding inside with a handful of balloons?
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
It’s like when Sully stood in Boo’s closet to prove there were not monsters in there. Well, kind of.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
You know, wedging a conveniently perfect sized chair under the door knob will probably solve the problem lickety split. Plus it’ll keep the monster locked inside.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
At least he doesn’t think there’s a monster under his bed, too. That would be too much to live with.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.

© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
The parents need a demonstration before believing their son. Imitate that monster perfectly, young man.
I love that the kid had the right idea and just piled EVERYTHING in front of the closet door. Apparently a standard convenient chair won’t cut it.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
He goes from playing tennis with Vic to banging his wife in quick succession? Steve kind of sucks.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
No messing around at the dinner table. That’s how you break the convenient door chairs.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
Judging by this mechanic and mailman, I’d definitely say we’re in Maine. They talk like the side characters from Pet Sematary.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
Why would you take the whole family into the middle of nowhere to see a man about fixing your car? Ah, so we can see Cujo.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
Why is she looking at that woman like she feels sorry for her? Maybe she likes her simple country life without a washing machine? She doesn’t need your pity, ma’am.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
That music reminds me of Grange Hill.
You mean people didn’t like dangerous cereal? Why would you want to help promote that? Better to peace out now and keep your reputation somewhat intact.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.

© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
I’m not sure where this remorse is coming from. We don’t see some kind of revelation on her part that’s made her realise it’s a mistake. It just comes out of nowhere.
The fact that Steve looks so pissed and chases after her is concerning. Dude, she’s married to your friend and they have a kid together. I know the divorce rate in 1983 was 50% in the US (I googled it), but she seems pretty adamant about staying with her husband. I’d like to edit my previous statement in #16 and say that Steve really sucks.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
What are the odds that her husband would drive passed them at the moment they’re fighting about her ending their affair?
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
See how her car doesn’t work 100%? I hope that isn’t a problem later.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.

© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
He knows she’s lying because he saw her. Or did he? Yes, yes he did.
Aw. the poor pup’s getting all gooey faced. Never watch this movie while eating. It only gets worse.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
You’re scaring Cujo! Don’t.
Winning $5,000 dollars in 1983 is like winning $14,873.29 today. Not too shabby. Although these days that wouldn’t last too long. The US economy sure is fucked.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
I hope she’s not planning on coming back. Her husband’s an asshole.
This could be any guy. Isn’t anyone in charge going to check that out? That kid could be getting kidnapped and they’d be none the wiser. I feel like all of these children are in danger. And not from the rabid St. Bernard.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
Oh, she took down the eggs as well as the milk. That’s unfortunate. Welp, who’s up for some funny games?
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
She admitted to the affair, and now they’re just ignoring it. Is this how marriages worked in the 80s?
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
Well, Brett, looks like you’re going to have to take him behind the barn and shoot him.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
I think he has every right to be mad and take some time to reevaluate their marriage. Where’s the trust, Donna? You’ve lost it.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
Cujo doesn’t like that you made fun of him.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.

© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
I guess he doesn’t give a shit. Although him running away would suggest differently.
What is this song they’re singing?
So Vic took them with him to the Camber’s so Donna will know where they live later on.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
I’m sure a lot of people, including his own mother, found this kid’s crying and screaming annoying. I think it’s actually devastating to listen to. That has got to be a terrifying situation they’re in, and he’s only around 6-ish. He’s already had that fear there are monsters in his bedroom closet. This is that fear but real.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.

© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
Yeah, fuck you, dog.
Aw, the lad is adorable. And I don’t usually care for kids in horror (or in general), except his bestie, Andy, of course. Still the cutest kid ever.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.

© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
You’re actually wishing that the dog would die? That’s messed up. Just wish for it to go away.
Never fear, the mailman will save the day!
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© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
Doh!
I sensed you were about to try something so I’m attacking your car. My publisher will have to wait. I’ll call back later.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
Cujo’s paw works just like a human hand. I wonder is he palmed a wrench to make the window crack like that?
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
Why are they strategising? I thought the cereal company dropped them. Let them clean up their own controversy.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
He’s hiding under the car. Watching. Waiting. Wondering if she’s going to try and run in those heels.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
This spinning camera effect inside the car is disorienting. Now I need to take a nap. And so does Donna.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.

© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
Told ya.
Does he think he’s going to get home and catch her in the act? Or does he think something’s genuinely wrong? I think it’s the former.
I see the makeup department went for the ketchup and mustard when Cujo was in the makeup chair.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
Is this day 3? Vic said she hasn’t answered the phone in two days the night before.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.

© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
Time for another sing along!
This guy needs to stop letting himself into their house. You don’t live there, guy.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
Send the cop to the rabid dog. Don’t forget your anti-rabid-dog spray. Batman probably has some if you don’t already.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
Cujo’s a sneaky one. He’s hiding from the fuzz so he can get the jump on him. He’ll never see it coming, hehe.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
Where do you think you’re going, sweetheart?
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© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
I don’t think he’s doing it on purpose, Donna. Shaking him and screaming at him isn’t going to help anyone.
My wife and son are missing. Time to put away some laundry.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.

© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
The cop you sent out to Camber’s hours ago hasn’t come back and you don’t find that odd? Vic would make a good detective. Give up the advertising game and become a PI.
Now he’s just unconscious. This kid has to have grown up with a serious fear of being shaken. PTSD, Donna.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
Stupid cheap baseball bat. That’s the last time I get stranded with a rabid dog at the home of poor people.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
Nah, instead I’ll grab my unconscious child and carry him into the house. Much more sensible.
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.
Why does she keep getting annoyed with him when his body is shutting down outside of his control?
© Sunn Classic Pictures © Warner Bros.

I watched this for the first time in May of 2020, so it was a fairly recent first time watch for me. I don’t know why I waited so long. I don’t really have a reason. I just never got round to it. I was surprised that the part of the movie that was set in the car was in the second half. I thought it would have gotten their sooner, but they set up the family dynamic first, which I liked. 80 minutes trapped in a car wouldn’t have been as interesting. Just because the one location worked for Gerald’s Game, it doesn’t mean it’ll work here for that length of time.

My Thoughts While Watching… Cujo (1983) [Trigger Warning: Child Endangerment & Animal Threat]

Published by LinseyLovesHorror

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