Poltergeist Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A family buys a house on a budget and finds out that their new neighbors are not just nosy, but also dead and extremely rude.

🍿 Poltergeist: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Bowen Family Moves In

Eric and Amy Bowen, facing financial difficulties, relocate their family to a new, more affordable home. The family includes their three children: Kendra, Griffin, and young Madison. The new house has some oddities, including strange noises and a box of creepy clown dolls left in the attic.

Strange Occurrences Begin

Soon after settling in, strange events start occurring. Electronic devices malfunction, lights flicker, and objects move on their own. Griffin discovers Madison communicating with an unseen presence through her closet and the television. The activity escalates, becoming increasingly frightening for the family, especially Griffin.

Madison is Taken

The paranormal activity intensifies when Eric and Amy attend a dinner party, leaving the children at home. During the night, Madison is pulled into another dimension through her closet. The family returns to find her missing and discovers she is communicating with them through the television, trapped in a spectral realm.

Seeking Help from Paranormal Experts

Desperate to rescue their daughter, the Bowens enlist the help of Dr. Brooke Powell, a paranormal researcher, and her team. They investigate the house, confirming the presence of a powerful poltergeist. Dr. Powell then brings in Carrigan Burke, a paranormal investigator and television personality, to help.

Journey to the Other Side

Carrigan determines that Madison’s purity is the key to the spirits’ power and that she must be rescued from the other side. Using a rope and a drone equipped with a camera, they attempt to locate her. Griffin bravely enters the portal to rescue Madison from the clutches of the poltergeists.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Eric Bowen (Sam Rockwell): The recently unemployed father who moves his family into a haunted house.
• Amy Bowen (Rosemarie DeWitt): The mother and wife who must protect her children from the evil spirits.
• Madison Bowen (Kennedi Clements): The youngest daughter who is captured by the poltergeists due to her ability to communicate with them.
• Griffin Bowen (Kyle Catlett): The son who is initially afraid but ultimately shows bravery in saving his sister.
• Kendra Bowen (Saxon Sharbino): The teenage daughter is more concerned with typical teen issues but is also threatened by the poltergeist.
• Carrigan Burke (Jared Harris): The paranormal investigator and host of a paranormal investigation series, who helps the Bowen family.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Madison Bowen: “They’re here.” – Spoken by Madison in front of the television, indicating the presence of the poltergeists.
• Griffin Bowen: “It knows what scares you.” – Highlights the personalized nature of the haunting and how it targets individual fears.
• Carrigan Burke: “Sometimes, the only way to protect the living is to make a deal with the dead.” – Emphasizes the dangerous choices and sacrifices that must be made to combat supernatural forces.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $35,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $47,425,125
• Worldwide Gross: $95,437,994

💥 Poltergeist Reviews

Personal Review

As a big fan of the original Poltergeist, I was hesitant about this remake. While it has some decent scares and updated special effects, it just doesn’t capture the same magic. Sam Rockwell is great, but the movie feels rushed and lacks the heart of the original. The clown scene was creepy, but not as iconic. Overall, it’s an okay horror movie, but nothing special. It was worth watching once, but I doubt I’ll revisit it anytime soon. The best thing about it was seeing the family overcome their fears in the end, but it felt too quick.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of supernatural horror movies”
  • “Viewers looking for jump scares and special effects”
  • “Those interested in remakes of classic horror films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Scary scenes and intense sequences”
  • “Disturbing imagery and poltergeist activity”
  • “Brief language and thematic elements”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “While it boasts a few genuinely spooky moments, this Poltergeist remake lacks the original’s heart, charm, and innovation, settling instead for cheap jump scares and tired horror tropes.
• IGN: “Poltergeist is a decent horror flick with some good scares, but it ultimately fails to capture the magic of the original. Sam Rockwell’s performance is a highlight, but the film suffers from a rushed pace and a lack of character development.
• The Guardian: “This remake struggles to justify its existence, offering little new to the story beyond updated technology. It’s a passable horror movie, but fails to evoke the genuine terror of the original.

Audience Reactions

Some viewers enjoyed the updated special effects and modern take on the classic story.: The movie provides a few decent scares and is a passable horror film for those unfamiliar with the original.

A common sentiment is that Sam Rockwell’s performance as the father is a standout.: Rockwell brings a likable and relatable quality to his character, elevating the film.

Overall Consensus: The Poltergeist remake is a decent but ultimately unnecessary update to the classic horror film. While it has some scares and updated effects, it fails to capture the magic and heart of the original.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This is a remake of the 1982 classic horror film of the same name.”
• “Sam Raimi produced this remake, bringing his horror expertise to the project.”
• “The film attempts to update the original’s scares for a modern audience with contemporary technology.”

🖥️ How to Watch Poltergeist?

Poltergeist (2015) is available for streaming on various platforms. You can rent or buy it on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable and satellite options as well.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Poltergeist, you might like these similar films:

• Insidious (2010): Features a family terrorized by supernatural forces and a child who is the key to the haunting, requiring a journey into the spirit world to rescue them.
• The Conjuring (2013): Deals with a family being haunted by a malevolent spirit and paranormal investigators trying to help them, focusing on jump scares and suspenseful atmosphere.
• Ouija (2014): Involves a group of friends confronting evil spirits they accidentally unleash through a Ouija board, similar to the poltergeists’ interaction with the family.
• Lights Out (2016): Employs a central horror element tied to darkness and a family struggling with a supernatural entity, relying heavily on jump scares and suspense.

🛒 Poltergeist Related Products

• Poltergeist (1982) [Blu-ray]: Experience the original classic that started it all. This Blu-ray offers a high-definition viewing experience of the timeless horror masterpiece.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Poltergeist – Carol Anne: A must-have for any Poltergeist fan, this stylized collectible figure brings Carol Anne to life in adorable Funko Pop! form.
• Poltergeist Movie Poster (24×36): Decorate your space with this high-quality poster featuring the haunting imagery of the Poltergeist remake.
• Ghost Hunting Kit: Equip yourself with a ghost hunting kit and investigate the paranormal. Includes EMF meter, digital recorder, and more.

🎧 Soundtrack

Poltergeist features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Sugarcrush” – performed by Joanna Gruesome
• “Original Score” – performed by Marc Streitenfeld

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Why The Set Of Poltergeist Was Truly Cursed

Ever heard about a movie set being cursed? This video delves into the eerie occurrences during the filming of Poltergeist, from cast deaths to strange on-set events. It’s a bit spooky, but super fascinating!

Poltergeist (1982) Retrospective / Review

Want to know if Poltergeist holds up after all these years? This retrospective review breaks down what made the movie so iconic and discusses its lasting impact. It’s a great watch before your next re-watch!

My Childhood Trauma With POLTERGEIST

Ever been scarred by a movie as a kid? This video shares a personal story about how Poltergeist traumatized the creator, offering a relatable and somewhat humorous take on the film’s impact. You might find yourself nodding along!

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Poltergeist

Think you know everything about Poltergeist? This video reveals 10 surprising facts you probably haven’t heard before, from behind-the-scenes details to interesting trivia. Prepare to have your mind blown!

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