40 Years Ago, One of the Greatest Thrillers of All Time Received an Unwatchable Sequel

Image: MGM

Few entries in the horror genre carry the same weight as the original Poltergeist. Arriving in 1982, it stands as a cornerstone of Tobe Hooper’s illustrious filmography. The movie’s opening remains an iconic piece of cinematic tension: little Carol Anne (Heather O’Rourke) softly communing with the white noise of a television set while her father drifts off nearby. That subtle, dread-filled realization that the television is projecting more than just static continues to inspire countless homages today.

Then we have Poltergeist II: The Other Side. Tasked with the impossible mission of following a genre-defining masterpiece, the sequel is often unfairly maligned. While it may lack the tight, focused terror of the original, it succeeds in deepening the franchise’s mythology. With most of the original cast returning—and Diane (JoBeth Williams) taking on a much more active role—the film also introduces the chillingly antagonist Reverend Kane, portrayed with haunting gravitas by Julian Beck. Four decades later, it remains a surprisingly engaging watch.

Following the suburban collapse of the Freeling residence, the story shifts to the remnants of Cuesta Verde, where an excavation project reveals a hidden, ominous cavern. Tangina Barrons (Zelda Rubinstein) catches wind of the discovery and alerts the Shaman Taylor (Will Sampson), correctly identifying that the ancient evil lingering there has set its sights on Carol Anne once again.

Simultaneously, the death of Diane’s mother highlights the hereditary nature of their psychic gifts—a theme that becomes crucial as the family faces a mounting threat invisible to patriarch Steve (Craig T. Nelson). The family must band together with Tangina and Taylor to confront the source of the malevolence.

The source, of course, is the Reverend Kane, one of horror’s most unsettling screen villains. A 19th-century cult leader whose followers perished in that same underground cavern, Kane is a master of psychological warfare. His polite, soft-spoken facade only serves to heighten the horror of his predatory obsession with Carol Anne. When his overtures are rebuffed, his descent into overt aggression is truly skin-crawling.

Much has been written about the so-called “Poltergeist Curse,” largely because The Other Side marked the final major performances of both Heather O’Rourke and Julian Beck. While these real-world losses are undeniably tragic, both actors left behind indelible, evocative work—O’Rourke as the resilient, vulnerable child and Beck as the embodiment of persistent, corrupting evil.

Rounding out the cast, Will Sampson’s performance as Taylor provides a necessary anchor, despite the frequent, stubborn skepticism of Steve. Ultimately, Poltergeist II may not reach the heights of its predecessor, but it is a valiant effort that broadens the scope of the original. It balances macabre humor with genuine scares and offers a deeper exploration of Diane’s character, proving that there is still plenty of life—and death—left in the series.

Source: Polygon