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Poltergeist Review

31.12.69

, Hooper implements a more atmospheric type of horror as he depicts a suburban family whose entire house becomes possessed by something out of this world.

Instead of ending the film with a standard happy ending, the beast possessing the house destroys the Freeling’s only home, forcing them to stay in a hotel room. At least Carol Anne made it out.

Rather than exploiting the clichéd “hedonistic teenagers get offed by otherworldly forces” plot, this movie capture its time somewhat perfectly, from its sly suburban rebellion to the brand awareness in children without sounding like Will Smith giving a speech on Chuck Taylor’s to a horde of killer robots.

In some ways, this film is a black comedy, playing its scary scenes straight and its comedy scenes in a naturalistic manner. However, in other ways, the horror outshines the comedy, therefore turning this film into an outright bleak satire on the hedonistic culture of the ‘80s.

The acting is noticeably strong, mainly from O’Rourke and the memorable Zelda Rubenstein as medium Tangina Barrons. However, Craig T. Nelson’s turn as Steve Freeling is rather intriguing; instead of playing a typical horror film father, Craig makes Steve more active, uncovering more about the history of his own neighborhood and his employers’ intentions as time goes by.

Source: The Saint