Poltergeist (1982) Review

Poltergeist (1982) Review

Author: Horror Movie Talk: Horror Movie Review May 12, 2021 Duration: 1:38:44

One of the best and most influential family-based haunted house movies. Poltergeist still holds up in terms of story and special effects.

Poltergeist illustration by horror movie talk podcast
@dgoebel00 on Instagram provided this amazing artwork. Follow him and check out his website.

Poltergeist Trailer

https://youtu.be/9eZgEKjYJqA

Poltergeist can be found places

Synopsis

From the director that brought you cannibalistic families in Texas, Tobe Hooper’s Poltergeist is the story of the Freeling family being tormented by an unseen force in their totally not built over a cemetery house. Just kidding, it’s obviously Spielberg’s film. The Freelings are an aggressively all american family comprised of the father Steve (Craig T. Nelson), mother Dianne (JoBeth Williams), almost non-existent teenage girl Dana (Dominique Dunne), young boy Robbie (Oliver Robins), and the littlest, and most angelic little girl, Carol Anne (Heather O’Rourke). Carol Anne starts talking to the TV, and not the wholesome Blues Clues kind of talking, more of the talking to whispers in the static kind of talking. 

Weird occurrences start happening, at first to the delight, and then to the horror of that family when it ramps up and the house steals Carol Anne into the netherworld. 

A Haggard Steven Freeling recruits paranormal investigators and the worlds tiniest psychic to get Carol Anne back and Exorcise the demons from their house.

Poltergeist movie poster
Poltergeist Poster

Review of Poltergeist

I am unapologetic in my love for this movie. It really is a template for family-based haunted house horror. It really has something for everyone. It’s accessible enough to general audiences that don’t want to see gore, or be constantly scared out of their gourd, but it has enough scares and good special effects to satisfy most horror fanatics.

On the scale of Ghostbusters to Exorcist, Poltergeist definitely leans more towards Ghostbusters, but it matches the quality of both in my opinion. This is another example of Spielberg being a master storyteller. There is very little fluff in this finely paced film, but there are a constant stream of little vignettes that add character, humor, or realism to the story.

Watch Poltergeist

Watch on Amazon

Score

10/10


Get 30 day free trial, with the code HMT at Shudder.com

Get 13% Off your order at NightChannels.com when you use code HMT at checkout.


There's a particular kind of conversation that happens after the credits roll on a scary movie, when you're dissecting the jump scares and debating the monster's motives. Horror Movie Talk captures that exact feeling, serving up weekly discussions that are as much about the genuine love of the genre as they are about critique. Hosted by a team whose passion is palpable, this podcast delves into everything from the latest chilling release haunting theaters to those hidden gems-or notorious flops-you can find on streaming services. The analysis is sharp and deeply opinionated, but the chemistry between the hosts often leads the conversation into unexpectedly funny territory. It’s this blend of thoughtful review and spontaneous humor that defines the show. You'll hear passionate debates about cinematic technique, nods to classic influences, and honest reactions to whether a film truly delivers the scares. Tuning in each Wednesday feels like pulling up a chair with friends who’ve just seen the same movie, armed with strong opinions and a willingness to laugh at the absurdities that make horror so enduring. For anyone who lives for that post-viewing breakdown, this is a consistently engaging listen.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 464

Horror Movie Talk
Podcast Episodes
Resolution (2013) Review with Fart Simpson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:49
We watched Resolution on Tubi and were treated to something so meta that Facebook might have a case against them. @dgoebel00 on Instagram provided this amazing artwork. Follow him and check out his website. https://youtu…
The Black Phone Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:38:57
If you want to feel stranger danger, look no further than Scott Derrickson’s new film The Black Phone in theaters now. This well constructed and acted supernatural thriller is well worth your time. Artwork by Dusting Goe…
Constantine (2005) Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:09
We watched Constantine on HBO Max and I realized that I had a bunch of unfounded ill-will toward this movie, which is pretty good. @dgoebel00 on Instagram provided this amazing artwork. Follow him and check out his websi…
Mad God Pretentious Review Sneak Peak [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:25
Mad God is the new Phil Tippett stop motion animation movie available exclusively on Shudder. In this Patreon only review, we talk a lot about this movie and what we loved and hated about it. To support our show and gain…
Stranger By The Lake (L’inconnu du lac) Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35:00
For Pride month this year, we decided to review a great LGBTQ+ horror movie. Saying Stranger By The Lake is a horror movie, is pretty generous, since it is more on the light end of thriller. But what it lacks in horror,…
Crimes of the Future Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:53:59
We went and saw Crimes of the Future and witnessed David Cronenberg‘s return to body horror in one of the most upsetting films of the year. @dgoebel00 on Instagram provided this amazing artwork. Follow him and check out…
The Fly (1986) Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:54:05
This film is the epitome of body horror, done by the master of body horror: David Cronenberg. If you have never seen The Fly, you’ll definitely be saying to yourself “Ew, David”. Artwork by Dusting Goebel (@dgoebel00 on…
Men (Movie) Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:53:34
We went and saw Men and, for most men it will be a similar viewing experience to staring into a mirror for an hour and a half. @dgoebel00 on Instagram provided this amazing artwork. Follow him and check out his website h…
Patreon Exclusive Preview: Pretentious Review of Cat People (1942) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:59
Synopsis An American man marries a Serbian immigrant who fears that she will turn into the cat person of her homeland’s fables if they are intimate together. Review of Cat People (1942) Like most movies from the 40s, the…
Firestarter (2022) Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:50:26
Just like prodigy sang: I’m a firestarter, twisted firestarter; You’re a firestarter, twisted firestarter. This Blumhouse remake of the 80s classic is more twisted, but is it worth a watch? Listen to our review to find o…