Poltergeist (1982) User Reviews

"They're heeeere!"

[PredragReviews · 7/10 · 21 January 2017]

Sometimes to judge a film fairly you really need to consider the time at which it was made and what film-making technology existed at that time. This was the first big budget film to really tackle the subject of paranormal investigation, and at the time it was made it was seamless and sleek. It would be easy for people today to put it down for some of the early 1980's effects, but let's flip this perspective around and consider that no CGI what-so-ever was used. But at the same time, "Poltergeist" has a strangely family-friendly vibe. It was directed by Tobe Hooper, but it has the unmistakable fingerprints of producer/writer Steven Spielberg all over it. It focuses on an ordinary, harmless suburban family living their usual lives (their biggest problem is the death of a pet bird), which is suddenly thrown into chaos by outside forces. And unlike most horror movies, there isn't even a lot of violence... well, except for one grotesque hallucination.

Don't expect the usual gore and typical shocks you see in all modern horror films these days, Poltergeist is not about that. With all of the elements of visual effects, sound, acting, directing (Tobe Hooper) and writers (Steven Spielberg) this is one film that achieves everything you want to see in a motion picture. Anyway, Jo Beth Williams and Craig T. Nelson are great in this film. They have real chemistry. You believe they love each other and are a team. The kids are pretty great, too. It's actually quite a thoughtful movie and even has an odd warmth to it. Though there are a few scary moments. The final fifteen minutes are played out to such effect, that one could call it pure horror.

Overall rating: 7 out of 10.

One of the best horror/thrillers of the decade

[gregsrants · 8/10 · 3 March 2004]

In 1982, Steven Spielberg pulled off an incredible feat. In June of that year, Spielberg released two films only weeks apart that were both highly successful yet diversely different in both subject matter and their target audiences. One went on to become the highest grossing film of all-time (E.T.), the other spawned a franchise (Poltergeist).

Poltergeist had a screen credit of being directed by Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), but history has revealed that it was Spielberg's vision, editing and overall command of the shooting that was really behind the making of this extraordinary film. Poltergeist brought back the traditional haunted house genre that lay dormant and restless since The Amityville Horror in 1979. The story surrounds a family's house that has been punctured by the spirit world that seem keen on the youngest daughter of the clan – Carol Ann Freeling, played by newcomer Heather O'Rourke. At first, the family meets the strange happenings in the home with playful pleasure, but in an instant the poltergeists intentions turn against the Freelings, and their daughter is captured and taken back to the supernatural world where communication is possible only through the bedroom television.

The Freelings waste little time and soon contact a paranormal group, well over their heads, to help them rescue their daughter from the unseen captures. It becomes clearly evident however, that the group is over matched, and they call in a poltergeist expert, Tangina Barrons (played with relative enthusiasm and wit by Zelda Rubinstein) to assist with the phenomena. Tangina then leads the Freelings through the unknown, both calming their fears and eventually finding a portal that may be the key to retrieving their daughter.

Poltergeist works as both a horror and a thriller. The cast, lead by O'Rourke, Jo-Beth Williams, Craig T. Nelson and Oliver Robins have real chemistry and are believable as a family unit, and unlike most horror films, they make sound judgments and know their limitations. When Carol Ann's bedroom becomes overtaken by the ghostly spirits, they lock the room and keep away rather than trying to fight something they cannot contain. And when things begin to look bleak, they call for help and look for experts in the field. This is an intelligent horror that doesn't have people running up the stairs when they should be running out the door.

Put together with a modest budget of less than $12 million, Poltergeist stretched it's dollars to provide us with an incredible array of special effects that still hold up well after 20 years of viewing. Sure, the scene where a scientist literally pulls his face off or when the bedroom is opened and we see items flying at random as if in a ghostly tornado, might be better served with CGI if made today, the effects still keep the story progressing with a sense of credibility.

Probably what keeps things so rooted in acceptability is how simplistic some of the special effects were in the larger scenes. A closet full of strobe lights are all that is required to convince us that it is a portal to another world and a fan gently blowing the hair of mother Williams' is believable as the spirit of her child flying past her. Simple plausible.

Whatever the reasons, Poltergeist works. One of the few screenplays written by Spielberg from one of his own stories, Poltergeist has all the elements that we now associate with the master director. There is a strong family unit, a child as the central character, above average production values and most notably, not one fatality in the entire film despite all the jilts and jolts. The closing scenes of chaos including a pool of skeletons (later revealed to be authentic), is pure movie magic with frantic pacing and edge of your seat suspense.

Since it's release, a lot has been made of the back stories and the curse surrounding the production of the franchise. Heather O'Rourke tragically died at a young age due to an internal infection and Dominique Dunne (who played a smaller role as her sister) was murdered the same year as the films release. The subsequent sequels have also included characters that died shortly after their films completion. Truth or fiction, lore or legend, these stories add to the mystique and mystery surrounding the film. Having knowledge of the ‘curse' makes it even scarier and gives it kind of a feeling like Naomi Watts' character must have experienced in The Ring, as if just by watching, you are contributing to the ongoing haunting.

Like most movies successful in the late 70's early 80's, there were sequels that were made with considerably higher budgets but less than stellar results (Superman III anyone?). Neither of the Poltergeist sequels or subsequent television programming could come close to capturing the essence of the original. Besides, how can you top what is now one of the most famous movie tag-lines of all time `They'rrreeee Here'?

Strong recommendation.

More a fun spookfest than a horror movie

[alfCycle · 6/10 · 26 May 2017]

This is a fairly fun, entertaining movie. It has lots of memorable moments that many will have seen referenced throughout pop culture. I did not see this film as a kid. If I had, I probably would have been pretty freaked out by it. However, watching for the first time as an adult, I can't really say that any part of this movie was particularly scary or creepy to me. It came across more like a fun spookfest than a horror movie. I would say this is closer in tone to something like Beetlejuice than it is to The Exorcist. I guess it's somewhere in the middle, which probably makes me give it a lukewarm review. Not creepy enough to be that scary. Not goofy enough to be that funny. I felt the beginning had that sense of wonder that you get from a Spielberg film. I know he didn't direct it, but you can definitely notice his influence on the direction of this movie. However, that feeling seemed to disappear along with the daughter. Overall, this is a pretty good movie that you can have fun with. Just don't go in expecting something scary.

6/10

************SPOILERS************

Recommended for those that enjoy creepy children, creepy clowns, creepy trees, creepy tvs, creepy meats, creepy self stacking furniture, spontaneous face melting, spontaneous grave popping, spontaneous house folding, inter-dimensional closet portals, giant closet heads, ectoplasmic mud baths, remote control feuds...

...but that's just like, my opinion, man

# Of Times Watched: Once

Better than a 7.1

[tornado-10 · 10/10 · 25 October 1999]

Horror films often do not get their do, and the 7.1 rating for Poltergeist shows that this trend will most likely continue. Clearly an influential film by Chainsaw director Tobe Hooper, Poltergeist reached for, and achieved, everything that the earlier Amityville Horror failed to be; namely, scary, credible, and well acted.

Poltergeist, in a nutshell, is a story of suburban California family that discovers the darker side of the American Dream when their youngest daughter, Carol Ann, makes contact with evil spirits through the family television set. "They're here", never fails to send chills down my spine as I recall seeing this film for the first time as a teenager.

Perhaps 10 to 15 more years will finally lend the credibility to this film to finally place it among the classics in modern horror cinema.

Good Scary Fun!!!

[cairn6 · 8 April 2004]

I am not going to go into all the controversy surrounding this movie...everybody knows about the various deaths of cast members, as well as questions over who actually directed "Poltergeist". What I will decribe in this review are my feelings concerning the movie.

"Poltergeist" is a good scary picture which will not only entertain you, but will make you wonder what originally occupied the land where your home is currently standing. This movie makes good use of foreshadowing and building of tensions to move a viewer to believe what they are actually seeing is really happening. While giving the "funeral" for the pet bird, Robbie asks if they can later dig it up so they can "see the bones". At the end of the film he is indeed treated to seeing "dug up bones", only they were not ones he had in mind.

Great movie, great acting, great scary fun! A+

One of the best horror films of all time.

[TruPretender · 10/10 · 2 February 2005]

What do you get when you put Steven Spielberg, Tobe Hooper, Jerry Goldsmith, and Beatrice Straight in a big budget MGM motion picture about a haunted house? You get "Poltergeist" a top of the pick, no holds barred, roller coaster ride through the supernatural world and back to ours. "Poltergeist" explores the side affects of a haunted house and it's effects on a normal suburban family who inhabits the house.

Steve Freeling is a successful realestate agent who has a nice house and a loving wife, with a family to die for. There is the spunky, rebellious eldest daughter, as portrayed gloriously by the late Dominique Dunne, may she rest in peace. The sporty young son, and the cute, innocent youngest daughter, Carol Ann, of whom the story is based around. The Freelings' are a happy American family whose lives are turned upside down when they realize their house in 'haunted' and the 'poltergeists' kidnap the youngest member of the family. In the film that pursues, Steve and his wife Diane do everything in their power to get her back, with the aid of Dr. Lesh, played out Oscar worthy by Beatrice Straight, and her assistants. Horrors and traumas ensue.

Enough power to knock you out of your dreams for long time, this film, was said to be directed by Tobe Hooper, whom had previous fame with the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. But when one watches this film, it is anything but Hooper. Hooper's trademarks include hysteria and screaming by a young female in the finale of his films(remember 'Eaten Alive?') and have no real substance or depth in their plots, what you see is what you get. Whereas this film, said to be produced by Spielberg, was so obviously directed(on the side anyway)by also, as his trade marks include psychological P.O.V. shots(Diane Freeling in the hallway scene) and wide range of character development(all characters except for Dana are developed to fruition, but Dunne does such a great job as Dana that you can't really tell.)There was even controversy over who directed the film, and still stands so today, although Spielberg came forward a little after the film was released, and exposed himself as only producer and assistant to the director, still, rumor is still hovering over the memory of the production.

The music to the film is superb, with Goldsmith clearly at one of his best moments, nominated but did not win, although he should have. His theme for the Freelings' is a calm, gentle one that compliments his theme for Carol Ann, which is quite possibly one of the prettiest themes he ever concocted. His score for the ghosts consists of structured, spiritual themes and rough orchestral brass woodwind, accompanied by a grand chorus. All other themes he came up with were just as stand out-ish as the above mentioned.

The acting is top notch, by conflicted Steve Freeling, who is so confused he self destructs into a pale maelstrom in his mind, and Diane, the mother and star of the film, Jobeth Williams is at her finest as she deals with the stress of trying to find her daughter, and keeping her family afloat amidst the chaos. The children are all really good under Hooper's(Spielberg's?) direction, particularly Dominique Dunne, who shines through in all scenes she is in, even though her character has got to be the most underdeveloped! Robbie is fun to watch, as all little boys will be boys. And who could forget the cute Carol-Ann...They're Heeeeere! Enough said. But my personal favorite was the late Beatrice Straight, as the sympathetic Dr. Lesh, who with every facial expression, the audience can see what exactly she is thinking, about to say, and still manages to surprise the audience with her spontaneous acting skill. The supporting cast are just as great.

Special effects make this even more of a thrill ride of the ages, as Industrial Light and Magic was first starting out, and makes this one of the biggest special effects fest of cinema. Nominations for those also.

So in full circle, this family, this film, the most extraordinary horror film of the eighties, still has the power to ring every chill out of it's script, while still managing to keep the audience calm with it's realism, and relief.

And about the curse that is said to follow the series' past, all just tragedies and coincidence.

May Dominique Dunne, Beatrice Straight, Heather O' Rourke, Jerry Goldsmith, all rest in peace.

10/10

This scared me to death at age 24

[AlsExGal · 7/10 · 20 June 2021]

I left the lights on the night I saw it. Because this does not take place in some classic looking haunted house, with some scary mythology attached to it. This happens in a modern house in a typical suburb. It looked like a house in my neighborhood. That nobody could afford to own at the time because of 18% interest rates in 1982, but that's another story.

It involves a typical family. The wife is a homemaker. The husband sells new houses in the same neighborhood that the family lives in. It must have been a slow work day for him because who could have afforded these houses in 1982 with 18% interest rates? But I digress. There is a teen daughter from some unmentioned first marriage because she only looks 15 years younger or so than Jo Beth Williams who plays the mother. There are two kids age 7 and 6 that belong to the second wife. The youngest, Carol Ann, was born in the house.

So the horror starts with harmless stuff like the kitchen chairs rearranging themselves when you're not looking but escalates quickly. And the movie tag line "It knows what scares you" turns out to be so true. Remember when you were a kid. What scared you? Lightning storms? Big leafless trees that looked like some kind of being with lots of arms? Clown dolls with macabre smiles? It all plays into it.

Stephen Spielberg "ghost" directed this one. You could always tell by the preponderance of wind machines and seemingly meaningless close ups - hallmarks of 80s Spielberg.

The one thing that really dates this - The poltergeist originally gets into the house when the husband falls asleep in front of the TV late at night, the Star Spangled Banner plays, the channel signs off, and then there is no signal. Cue the poltergeist. Today, channels never sign off. There is always some infomercial, with the set dressed like the old CNN Larry King Live show to add credibility, yelling at you how you can have product X for only 19.99 a month. The poor poltergeists of today are trapped listening to this nonsense, waiting for a chance to escape that will never come! Oh the humanity.

It doesn't hit me like it did when it first came out, but it is still good enough with a very shocking ending that it is still worth a a look.

Steven Spielberg's ghost story

[ITTMovieFanatic · 10/10 · 2 June 2004]

"Poltergeist" is Steven Spielberg's vision of a ghost story, and a great one at that. This is an outstanding movie in every way possible. It has terrific acting, a good story to tell, a nice sense of humor, and astonishing special effects. Plus when I first saw this film, it was pretty scary.

"Poltergeist" tells the story of a suburban family living in a small town in California who's home is abruptly invaded by supernatural forces who are anything but friendly, and proceed to terrorize the entire clan. This is a movie that plays like a roller-coaster ride, and once it gets going it never stops.

Tobe Hooper, who directed the original 1974 cult classic "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", was picked by Spielberg to direct "Poltergeist". He does a fine job of creating scares and tension, even though rumors were floating around that writer/producer Spielberg actually stepped in and directed some of the film (Spielberg went on to say that Hooper was the director of "Poltergeist" even though Spielberg was very much involved with this film from start to finish). To me, it doesn't matter who directed it. This is still an excellent horror movie. Spielberg did a great job as writer/producer, and even if he had directed the whole movie it would still be as good. JoBeth Williams and Craig T. Nelson are wonderful as the head of the Freeling family, with Dominique Dunne, Oliver Robins, and Heather O'Rourke equally good as their kids. The late Oscar-winning actress Beatrice Straight ("Network") scores points as a parapsycologist investigating the hauntings, and Zelda Rubinstein steals scenes as the mysterious clairvoyant brought in to "clean house". The acting is great, but it's the Oscar-nominated special effects that dominate. Wow! This horror film is a must-see!

***** (out of five)

Scary for its time.

[Fella_shibby · 7/10 · 3 July 2017]

Saw this in the mid 80s on a VHS. Found it to be really scary. Revisited it recently aft watching the remake. The remake was bad. This movies effects were really good for that time. It has diminished over the years but the movie still stands out as one of the best pg13 horror. Moving household items, flickering lights, sudden rain n thunder, ghost investigators coming to live at the house, people passing thru another dimension/ghost world were all the stuff which inspired future horror films. The creepy smiling clown n the big monster tree really added to the scary stuff. Kids will definitely enjoy this as it lacks the tension n violence. Don't let the names of Hooper n Spielberg fool u. Its not brutal or violent neither it is tame or mild. It does hav some creepy n scary stuff.

Why is there so much misinterpretation over this film's story?

[diogoferreira240878 · 9/10 · 29 November 2010]

I've read several reviews of Poltergeist and most people (including Siskel & Ebert)don't seem to have seen the same film as i did! All the criticism surrounding the storyline as how ridiculous and unbelievable it is. Well it's a ghost story, although i've always felt it was closer to a modern day fable in which the parents have to prove their love for their daughter going so far as to having to go to another dimension to retrieve her (well, the mother does that). People keep saying that the ghosts are in the TV and that Carol Anne was sucked into the TV, for Christ's sake, have these people actually watched the film? Another thing is that some critics complain that after the film was over they still didn't get what the spirits wanted and why they targeted the little girl. What about the sequence between Steve Freeling and his boss and the monologue delivered by Tangina where she EXPLAINS what is going on?! Sure, the film is not perfect, there's that infamous edit jump, too much cutesy with the burial of the bird and the lack of complaint from the neighbours about the thundering, thumping, screaming sounds that go on in the house, but it is a fable people! The acting is great, we really care about the characters, and because of some great dramatic sequences with Diane Freeling (brilliantly portrayed by JoBeth Williams)we realize that (SURPRISE!) the film isn't so much about the ghosts and (iconic) special effects, as it is about the drama of parents thrown into a supernatural situation they never saw coming and having to bring their daughter, that they hear THROUGH the TV (she's NOT IN the TV), back into our world. The action sequences are greatly imaginative and entertaining, Jerry Goldsmith's score is his best, being horrific, tense, spectral, childlike and such a masterpiece. I do love this film and wish that people would actually see it instead of making erroneous assumptions about it.

We know it as the beast.

[hitchcockthelegend · 6/10 · 4 March 2008]

The Freeling family are happy and functioning perfectly well until one night their youngest daughter announces that thru the TV, the supernatural are here!

Poltergeist divides the horror crowd big time, the gore fans are simply not impressed by the events in the film, while ghostly supernatural fans such as myself see it as a wasted opportunity. But strip away the flashy production and you start to see the core joke of kids infatuation with the goggle box, so yes, the film could easily be titled under the banner of being a Black Comedy. But be that as it may, and lets not be under any illusions here that, Poltergeist is not a knowing wink wink horror film of substance, the film really could have been a truly terrifying piece of work to cater for all tastes, and I firmly believe that that was the main intention of the makers from the off.

Thus lies the chief problems with Poltergeist, it tries so hard to cover all bases it gets that confused to the point it veers from tedium to shock and back again before you have time to digest, and it kills what should have been a genre masterpiece. There are moments in the film that chill the blood, the sense of creeping menace hangs heavy during a storm, a toy clown becomes evil personified just by being lit in the stormy light, and then? Well it violently switches to something involving a tree that wouldn't be fit for Creepshow 27! On the film goes, suspense with chairs and pieces of meat, and then BAM...monster time! It just doesn't work, it's a collage of genre splicing that both director Tobe Hooper & producer Steven Spielberg are firmly to be held responsible for, because it's obvious that both their signature's clash to create an uneasy bedfellow.

Yet as uneven as it is, and as blatantly plagiarised as it is of Twilight Zone episode Little Girl Lost, I still find myself enjoying watching Poltergeist, with its slick production and some memorable moments; the clown, poor darling Heather O'Rourke saying "they're here", the first chair sequence, and the always creepy Mrs. Tuthill, all things that help to make it a frustratingly enjoyable nights viewing. 6/10

Just don't go into the light afterwards I guess...

Now THIS is a horror movie!!

[SmileysWorld · 8/10 · 6 October 2001]

There are two types of "horror" films:There are the scary ones, which is what the word "horror" means in the first place,and then there is the bloody,gory kind.Perhaps the latter kind should be categorized under another name.At any rate,Poltergeist is a good horror film.It goes beyond the idea of typical ghosts in sheets jumping out of nowhere and saying "boo!".Most of the adventure takes place in their world rather than ours,although we cannot see what is going on there.This is a very thrilling movie.It has great special effects and all of the scare elements that make a horror film what it is supposed to be.The clown in the chair at the foot of the boy's bed was a particularly tense moment for me.This is the only movie I went to see 4 times at the theater,partly to watch others' reactions.I have often heard that the film,and it's two sequels,were the victim of some type of curse,as after each film was released,a member of the cast passed away,including Heather O'Rourke,who played Carol Anne, after the 3rd film.She was only 10.Curse? Coincidence? Who knows? I guess anything is possible.All in all,this is one of the best films ever for the horror genre.

A Classic of the Horror Genre

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 22 September 2015]

In the Cuesta Verde suburb, in California, the real state agent Steve Freeling (Craig T. Nelson) lives a comfortable life with his wife Diane (Jobeth Williams) and their children Dana (Dominique Dunne), Robbie (Oliver Robins) and Carol Anne (Heather O'Rourke). Now Steve has decided to build a swimming pool for the family. One night, the Freelings witness Carol Anne talking to the static in their television set and telling that they are here. On the following days, the family witnesses weird events in their house and Carol Anne vanishes. Steve and Diane visit the parapsychologist Dr. Lesh (Beatrice Straight) from the university and she goes with her team to the Freelings' house. Soon she realizes that the family is living a poltergeist phenomenon. Further, Steve has a conversation with his chief Mr. Teague (James Karen) and learns that the community was built on a former cemetery. Will they be capable to retrieve Carol Anne from the demon that is holding the little girl?

"Poltergeist" is a horror movie written and produced by Steven Spielberg but directed by Tobe Hooper due to the contract of Spielberg of exclusivity while making "E.T., the Extra-Terrestrial" film. "Poltergeist" can be considered a classic of the horror genre, with an original story of haunted house. There are two sequels and one remake of this movie but none of them comparable to the original film. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Poltergeist: O Fenômeno" ("Poltergeist: The Phenomenon")

Vastly Overrated

[Chucky_Smith · 5/10 · 3 January 2006]

Poltergeist is a tremendously overrated movie. I watched it again the other day for the first time in 20 years and had the exact same reaction as the first time. The plot simply doesn't hold together.

There are too many elements introduced in the story, or hinted at, and many of them are never explained properly or "paid off" later. It's classic mediocre scriptwriting. Steven Spielberg is a terrific director, but a middling writer. He wrote this story, about some of his childhood fears and recollections, and the movie plays like a disjointed series of set pieces, which are only partially related by a poorly thought-out framing story.

First it's about unsettled ghosts. Then it's hinted in one scene that Satan is involved somehow. This, and how it relates to the ghosts, is never explained. Then corpses start breaking through the ground. So why now, some 6-7 years after the house was built over the graves? Where have all these spirits been for 7 years?? Again, this is never explained. And why only in this one house, if the whole subdivision was built over the graves? And what's the deal with the tree that grabs the son and tries to devour him? Can anyone tell me what the hell this has to do with the rest of the story as it plays out, because I sure can't! Just another action set piece.

And in classic bad script fashion, the characters suddenly start acting clueless in order to further the action. After all that's just happened, the family decides to spend one more night in the house and the mother lets her children sleep in the same room which was the center of all the evil?? OH, PLEASE! Even Tobe Hooper's direction is slow and plodding, and many of the scenes just don't pack the wallop they should. IMDb states that Spielberg held Hooper back, so this may not have been his fault, but it's still a problem with this movie.

I'm sorry if these complaints seem nit-picky, but I don't think they are. Any good movie, including a good horror one, needs to be coherent and have things make sense and be understandable. Poltergeist simply has too many irons in the fire and it comes off as disjointed and unsatisfying.

They're Here.

[tfrizzell · 15 March 2002]

Truly spooky and disturbing horror film from the early-1980s that will make you jump from your seat. Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams seem to lead a normal life. He is a successful real estate agent and she is a loving housewife. They have three beautiful children, but one night all that slowly changes. The youngest child (Heather O'Rourke) starts talking to unseen spirits through a scrambled television station. The parents don't think much of it, until furniture starts to move on its own. However, the real terror does not start until O'Rourke is taken to another dimension by "the TV people". Now paranormalists led by Beatrice Straight must come in and try to get O'Rourke back to her family. Tobe Hooper, who is best known for the highly over-rated "Texas Chainsaw Massacre", does an admirable job here with the film's direction. However, it is rumored that Steven Spielberg came in during his "E.T" days and did the bulk of the work. This makes more sense as the film is really frightening and disturbing. The special effects are also impressive and "Poltergeist" ends up being one of those films that just sticks with you for a long time after you first see it. 4 stars out of 5.

The horror here comes from what you don't see.

[mark.waltz · 8/10 · 28 October 2020]

This was destined to be a classic from the moment Steven Spielberg began putting this down on paper. He doesn't direct, only write and produce (still not an easy feat), and the direction of Tobe Hooper is outstanding at keeping Spielberg's vision alive. It's the story of a modern southern California home built over a gravesite which leads to the ghostly experiences occurring that result in young Heather O'Rourke disappearing inti the abyss. Mom JoBeth Williams and pop Craig T. Nelson bring in a group of paranormal experts (lead by Beatrice Straight) but it's poltergeist expert Tangina (Zelda Rubinstein) who seems to have the power to deal with it and get O'Rourke's Carol Ann back.

For anyone who's ever gone into a park late at night and thought that the trees looked like evil beings, that began to believe that their toys were possessed or found old cemeteries fascinating, this is a magical ride of good vs. evil that they won't soon forget. There's a legend already behind the making of this, and in nearing its fortieth anniversary, that legend is as powerfully spooky as the film itself. Every moment of this film is powerful and feels so modern in the realm of the spirit world and in its making. The timeliness of this hasn't ages at all.

With growing tension from the moment that O'Rourke sneaks downstairs and tries to engage with something in the TV's static (following the end of the broadcast day, the one untimely reference in the film), this builds to something that in spite if the evil involved is breathtakingly beautiful, almost like a ballet in how it is presented. Every prop in the film becomes an element of evil vision, and you'll never look at a clown doll or a walking robot toy or an empty swimming pool covered in muck the same way again.

I only looked away once upon seeing this again for the first time in many years, knowing what was going to transpire with one of the paranormal experts when he went into the kitchen to make a steak. The acting is very natural yet intense with Nelson and Williams play and parents who are actually real people beyond their role as dad and mom, and Oscar winning Straight is quite touching. But the ground breaking performances by O'Rourke and Rubinstein are the heart and soul of the film, although it's haunting for the memory of teen actress Dominic Dunne whose tragic end was just one obstacle the film faced after the conclusion of the filming. The music by Jerry Goldsmith is a plus, and the special effects are simply glorious. This is one horror classic, a triumph in modern cinema, that is worth seeing over and over.

Ghost train ride put on film

[Leofwine_draca · 10/10 · 16 May 2013]

The Spielberg-produced haunted house horror POLTERGEIST is one of those perennial favourites, one of those classic 1980s films that survives down the years, my appreciation growing as each decade passes. It's one of those films I saw and loved as a kid, although I found it very frightening; THAT bathroom scene has to go down in history as one of the most purely disgusting ever put on screen. It's highly stylised, and Hollywoodised with it; if you're looking for something more realistic and disturbing, go check out THE ENTITY instead. This one's all about the spectacle, a fairground ghost train ride put on film.

Elsewise, POLTERGEIST works very efficiency. There's the slow, creepy build-up, kept realistic and almost-believable, especially the effective stuff with the sliding chairs; intrigue builds upon intrigue, with some nice comic relief inbetween, and then everything lets rip for the pyrotechnic shriek-show in the second half. This latter stage is a masterwork of special effects technology, from miniatures to superimposed imagery and prosthetic effects work; I don't usually care for films that rely on FX too heavily but I'll make an exception for this one.

And what a cast, too! Heather O'Rourke must be the epitome of the innocent young American girl caught up in a world of evil, and both Nelson and Williams excel as the exasperated parents who gradually become more deranged as the tale progresses. Of course, Zela Rubenstein's scene-stealing medium is remembered for a reason, and there's a nice little cameo for RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD's James Karen, too. Come the ending, with those graves popping out of the ground, well just wow: this truly is a great little film, that stands proud among the rest of the classics of the '80s.

Here come all the millennial film students with their hot takes

[deadwaxdallas · 7/10 · 26 September 2022]

I'm gonna get right to it. This is a fantastic, blockbuster haunted house movie. It's got a great script, great cast & the special effects have held up 40-years-later. Also, we all know at this point Spielberg directed it. Tobe might have filmed a few scenes, but there's nothing in his career that makes you believe he could do anything this good (Texas Chainsaw Massacre isn't that great. Sorry. It's terribly acted & mostly very boring). Anyway, as big budget scare flicks go, this one is still top notch. Mostly, it has actual heart & real emotion. Something lacking from even the best horror movies from the last 40 years.

"Poltergeist" - Horror for middle-class America

[dee.reid · 10/10 · 17 October 2016]

"They're here," and they're ready to stay.

1982's "Poltergeist" is widely regarded as one of the greatest horror films of the last 35 years, and certainly one of the most popular and widely imitated. I've caught "Poltergeist" many times over the years, but I have never actually sat down and watched the whole thing in its entirety. It's a gripping film, with a great cast, great story, high production values, and great direction.

"Poltergeist" is one of those great cinematic collaborations that everyone dreams about: it was directed by horror veteran Tobe Hooper (of 1974's "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre"), but it was produced and co-written by Hollywood director Steven Spielberg ("Jaws," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," "Raiders of the Lost Ark"). I've read that there's been some debate over who was the true director here - Hooper or Spielberg - but there's no denying that the film bears the marks of both of its principal creators: Hooper's unique ability to shock the viewer and make people physically ill with what they're watching, and Spielberg's eye for human drama and ground-breaking special effects (courtesy of George Lucas's Industrial Light & Magic - ILM).

"Poltergeist" involves an American middle-class suburban family's battle with malevolent spirits. But this film was like no other haunted-house movie before it. While films concerning themselves with evil spirits haunting human protagonists in isolated locations like large foreboding castles and mansions, or small cabins in the deep forest are all too common in the horror genre, "Poltergeist" brought that very same ghost story to middle-class America - forcing the film's protagonists (and the audience) to confront a supernatural horror right in their own homes. You can probably read all sorts of socio-political subtexts in this story - like the idea of how people escape to the suburbs to free themselves of the dangers prevalent in the bigger cities, only to find themselves the victims of something far more dangerous than anything there (in this case, ghosts, or "poltergeists").

We're introduced to the Freeling family, who live in the picturesque suburban Southern California community of Cuesta Verde. There's Steven Freeling (Craig T. Nelson), his wife Diane (JoBeth Williams), their oldest daughter Dana (the late Dominique Dunne, who was murdered by her boyfriend a few months after this film's release), Robbie (Oliver Robins), and Carol Anne (the late Heather O'Rourke, who tragically passed away six years later from septic shock caused by intestinal stenosis, while filming this movie's second of two sequels).

Like William Friedkin had done on "The Exorcist" (1973), Hooper takes his time in introducing us to the Freelings so that we get to know each of them as people and see them going about their daily lives. But soon, strange occurrences begin happening around the house. At first, they're benign, even if understandably unsettling. Eating utensils appear bent out of shape. Chairs move by themselves. And Carol Anne can hear voices talking to her through their living room television set.

This strange phenomena soon starts to turn terrifying, and violent. Robbie is nearly eaten alive by the old tree outside his bedroom window. And tragically, Carol Anne is abducted by the ominous forces that seemed to have taken up residence in the Freeling's house and dragged her off to the spirit realm. Steven and Diane waste little time in contacting professionals - in this case, university parapsychologist Dr. Lesh (the late Beatrice Straight), who regards her profession as one with little reward but who soon sees that what the Freelings are dealing with is the real deal, and Tangina (Zelda Rubinstein), a medium who explains to everyone that the Freeling house is haunted by a malevolent supernatural entity known only as "The Beast" that is holding Carol Anne hostage on the "other side."

"Poltergeist" is a bold marriage of talent and special effects. For a film that was released 34 years ago (as of this writing), its practical special effects still stand up to the test of time and beat out many of its more modern-day CGI-laden counterparts. Only someone as gifted as Steven Spielberg and Lucas's ILM could have been capable of doing this.

"Poltergeist" is one of the great modern ghost stories. The unique collaboration of director Tobe Hooper and producer/co-screenwriter Steven Spielberg is one of the great collaborative efforts in the history of film.

10/10

They're here....

[Lady_Targaryen · 7/10 · 17 July 2006]

I watched ''Poltergeist'''yesterday because my dad and my friend were telling me that it was a horror classic, and even not being scared, the movie give us a nice time. The only thing I find more bizarre then the movie, is the fact that real skeletons were used in this movie.

I am surprise how Steven Spielberg worked on both productions of this movie and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, at the same time.

It is so sad to see that such a beautiful,talented and intelligent girl as Heather O'Rourke,(the girl who played Carol Anne) died by cardiopulmonary at such a young age of 12. (Not to mention Dominique Dunne, who plays Dana Freeling, that was killed by her boyfriend with only 16 years old)And if Spielberg wasn't paying attention to the actor Oliver Robbins in the set, in the scene where he is strangled by the clown's arms, we could had three deaths instead of two.

An ordinary family has their lives turned upside down when strange events starts to happen in their house. Carol Anne, the youngest of the children, become connected to the spirits by the television. What looks only strange, starts to become bizarre when Carol Anne disappears with the ghosts and terrible events starts to happen in their house.

Ps: Since Spielberg and George Lucas are friends, you can see a lot of references to Star Wars in this movie in Robbie's toys.

Similar to Twilight Zone Episode

[jmars409-121-290297 · 10/10 · 6 January 2012]

This is a classic movie. One thing I want to point out is that the disappearance of the little girl into another dimension was the premise of a classic Twilight Zone episode aired in 1962 entitled "Little Girl Lost". If you come across it in reruns, check it out. Many of JoBeth Williams' reactions are seemingly taken from this Twilight Zone episode about a little girl who disappears into another dimension during the night. Poltergeist has many more elements to it( the poltergeist, of course, the monster, the tree outside, and the appearance of the Indian burial ground), but the initial disappearance of the little girl is straight from this Twilight Zone episode.

Poltergeist

[hamzaarifshuja · 7/10 · 25 August 2023]

Not very scary, but well made and unlike any other horror film I've ever seen before. I really felt the film missed a few opportunities to heighten the suspense and tension, but there was still plenty in the final product. The acting is all very good, even from the kids, which is rare from so many child actors in one film. The last 20 minutes didn't work as well for me as much as the rest of the film, but it was far from bad. Overall, this is something very unique and I can say I enjoyed it

Although the film doesn't do much for suspense, the special effects we good for its time. However as a story, the film didn't do the script much justice as Spielberg was more concerned about his recognized style of movie making rather than making the film more desirable to the supernatural genre. He does however somewhat pull it off as making it into a decent film.

Forever the best in all of time and existence

[Nutrynion · 10/10 · 3 November 2023]

Best Haunted House/Ghost/Horror ever. Nothing will ever replace this in all of existence and time. They can remake it as they already have; but this version, this movie, these actors, are forever. This is thee movie that set in stone everything that ever tried / tries to copy it after. It should have stopped here. Poltergeist II is a cult classic but was never on par with the first and then III was just a shallow attempt at making money off the series rather than write and direct a worthy movie at all. RIP H. O'Rourke, Dominique Dunne, Zelda Rubenstein, et al.

What makes this so great too, is that it's the old times like when special effects were first taking off into the realm of totally weird and cool and what you saw on screen was most often always real; not cgi minus the use of various lighting and electrical spurts here and there. But seriously, the house getting eatin' into nothingness at the end, the soundtrack itself composed by Jerry Goldsmith and that final track at the ending when they're all in the car, he backs out, Dana arrives home, she's screaming, the entire house is electrified and things are blowing up, Dana gets in the car, Steven peels out, takes off, fire hydrants exploding fire and water, people all walking out to witness wtf is going on and it is just the most epic ending ever.

Nothing can ever surpass THIS version.

P. S. Just wanted to mention if you look up Poltergeist house on Google Maps and go into street view, you can view it there today.

A "classic"??

[davispittman · 4/10 · 23 December 2015]

Poltergeist (1982) Is a huge Spielberg "classic" or "masterpiece", or at least it is supposed to be. I will say this to start off with, the special effects in poltergeist are actually very cool and entertaining, especially for 1982. So that is one positive, impressive creative special effects and visuals! Also, the cast did well with their source material. But the big issue I took with the movie, was the bad script and boring pacing and how terribly non scary this is. It's so true that this movie has no scared at all, I did not jump once or feel scared or tense. Also, I just became bored many times throughout the movie, I was catching myself checking the time, and wishing it would hurry the heck up! Just goes to show you that good acting and special effects cannot be the only good things in a film, it must have a well put together script and the pace must be timed correctly. And if you are creating a horror film, here's a little hint, actually make it scary! 4/10 for Poltergeist.

An amazing piece of work!!! Horror at it's best.

[thewizardofoz · 17 July 2000]

This movie has been one of my all time favorites for more than ten years. Like many other people in the '80s, the first time I saw this movie it scared the hell out of me.

I compliment on the fact that there is no bloodspilling or graphic violence or even a single killing in the movie to make this movie sensationally scary. It relies on those trendy '80s special effects to make the movie truly frightening.

I still think this movie is scary, because I have always found supernatural forces and things that are out of the ordinary in this world to be more frightening than some idiotic blond woman being chased by an ax-wielding maniac. The script is so well written, the acting heartfelt and wonderful, and the direction and production techniques are top-notch. I have never seen horror movies embody all those elements since "The Exorcist."

For those of you who have not seen this movie, SEE IT! It may not scare you like today's modern horror flicks, but it will sure entertain and enlighten you. Has a horror movie ever done that????????????