Poltergeist (2015)
A family's suburban home is invaded by angry spirits. When the terrifying apparitions escalate their attacks and take the youngest daughter, the family must come together to rescue her.
Details
Budget
$35,000,000
Rating
5/10 (2288 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
TSG Entertainment, Ghost House Pictures, Vertigo Entertainment, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Fox 2000 Pictures
About Poltergeist
The 2015 version of "Poltergeist" reinterprets the horror narrative of a family coping with aggressive supernatural phenomena in their suburban home. This remake focuses on the terror that escalates as spirits target and abduct the youngest daughter, prompting the family to unite for her rescue. While maintaining the core concept of a haunted house, the film updates the setting and visual effects for a contemporary audience.
Critics and viewers noted that despite its horror genre classification, the movie struggled to deliver consistent scares, with some suggesting it leaned more towards a family-friendly thriller than intense horror. The film's approach to its subject matter and overall execution resulted in a mixed reception, with a focus on modernizing a classic story.
While the film aimed to honor its predecessor, discussions often centered on its success in forging its own identity. It attempts to balance reverence for the original while introducing new elements characteristic of modern horror productions, including updated visual techniques and a contemporary setting.
Why you might be searching for Poltergeist
People are searching for "Poltergeist" due to interest in its status as a horror remake, often looking for comparisons to the original film. Queries suggest curiosity about specific scenes, plot points involving haunted houses and child abduction, and general recollections of its scary or supernatural elements.
What reviewers are saying
This remake is described as ordinary and bland, lacking the quality of the original and failing to create likable characters or engaging scares, despite the director's past work with a "monster house" theme.
Read the full reviewThe film closely mirrors the 1980s original in scenes and house details, only updating the cast and modern gadgets. It might be enjoyable for those unfamiliar with the first movie, but it ultimately disappoints fans of the original due to its lack of significant story or screenplay alterations.
Read the full reviewDespite initial reservations, the reviewer found the remake better than anticipated, praising the special effects and performances from actors like Sam Rockwell, Jared Harris, and Jane Adams. They suggest the film might have intended a family-friendly experience with thrills and laughs rather than intense horror.
Read the full reviewThe film offers little, featuring a predictable story and unmemorable performances, with few scares for a horror movie. Jared Harris and Sam Rockwell are noted as the strongest actors, though their presence doesn't fully redeem the overall yawn-inducing experience.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream the 2015 film *Poltergeist* on YouTube TV. It is also available to rent or buy on platforms like Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. You can find options for buying the DVD or Blu-ray on Amazon.
No, *Poltergeist* (2015) is a supernatural horror film and a remake of the 1982 movie, not based on a true story. The plot involves a family whose new home is built over an old cemetery, leading to paranormal occurrences.
At the end of *Poltergeist* (2015), the Freeling family manages to rescue their youngest daughter, Carol Anne (Maddie in the 2015 version), from the spirits. The ghosts causing the haunting are revealed to be unsettled spirits whose bodies were left behind when their cemetery was built over. Psychic Carrigan Burke makes a sacrifice, entering the vortex to lead the spirits into the afterlife, and the family escapes as their house is destroyed by a beacon of light.
The 2015 *Poltergeist* received mixed to negative reviews from critics, with many deeming it inferior to the original 1982 film. While some found it an "efficient scare-machine" or "generally entertaining," others described it as "forgettable" and questioned the necessity of the remake.