← Back to results
Cujo
1983 93 min United States of America R 16+
★6.2
Drama, Horror
Director: Lewis Teague
🎭 Based on
«Cujo»
byStephen King
Trailers
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
Description
A friendly St. Bernard named "Cujo" contracts rabies and conducts a reign of terror on a small American town.
Budget:
$5M
US Gross:
$21.16M
Worldwide:
$21.2M
Starring
Dee Wallace
Actor
Daniel Hugh Kelly
Actor
Danny Pintauro
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 1984
— Best Horror Film
Key opinion
Cujo is generally viewed as an effective but flawed adaptation of Stephen King’s novel that relies heavily on atmospheric tension. Opinions diverge sharply on the script's deviations from the source material and the film's ability to balance its slow-burn character drama with its creature-feature horror elements.
| Acting | Dee Wallace delivers a compelling and emotionally resonant performance as a mother under duress. | |
| Direction | Lewis Teague’s direction successfully utilizes camerawork to heighten the claustrophobic tension of being trapped in a vehicle. | |
| Adaptation | The film significantly alters the novel's dark conclusion, leaving audiences divided between those who appreciate the change and those who find it a betrayal of the source material. | |
| Pacing | The pacing is viewed as uneven, with some critics finding the slow, character-focused first half essential for stakes, while others find it boring and lacking in depth. | |
| Production | The practical effects for the dog often fail to convince, with some viewers finding the creature to be a non-threatening or artificial presence. |