Steven Spielberg’s 1982 horror lets audiences delve into a world of the unknown and is a perfect watch for this Halloween…
To begin with, we are introduced to an idealised American town, full of sunshine and happiness – but it doesn’t stay like that forever. Our main characters are the family of Steve and Diane, with their three kids Dana, Robbie and Carol Anne. The youngest of the three, Carol Anne starts to act very suspiciously which is where the idea of the poltergeist is introduced to viewers. Without revealing too much, Carol Anne disappears for most of the film at the hands of the so called “poltergeist”, leaving her family in turmoil.
Steve and Diane must turn to a parapsychologist and eventually an exorcist to help get this haunting phenomenon out of their house. Spielberg, with the world-renowned director he is portrays this horror and thriller well with a haunting storyline leaving viewers on the edge of their seats.
Many positives arise from this film, notably the background music and sound effects. Certain scenes show how the sound effects are used well to make the horror genre clear to the audience. For example, near the beginning, Carol Anne and Robbie are in their bed with their parents after getting scared in their own room.
As the pixelated TV comes on (this prop becomes very important in the plot), the music starts to slowly build up as Carol Anne slowly moves herself towards it, then suddenly, a wind picks up and let’s just say, I might have been slightly scared when watching this scene as the tension picked up. The use of the flickering lightning not just in this scene but throughout the film adds to the creepy atmosphere.
Like all films, there is some sort of drawback to them but in terms of this movie production, there wasn’t many I could find. Spielberg does an excellent job in portraying the thriller and horror genre within the film, especially with the use of the jump scares which leaves the audience (especially me) shaking in my boots.
If there was one drawback, I would say it is the use of the special effects. As seen in An American Werewolf in London, the 80s didn’t have the use of the technology we have today so as a result, the effects that appear on our screens are not up to the best standard. However, when looking at the technicalities of what has gone into a film, the film shots used add even more to the horror genre.
Ultimately, Poltergeist is definitely worth the watch not just for Halloween but for anytime you are in the mood for a scare or have someone to hide behind when you’re too scared to watch anymore.
By Katie Green
Feature image credit: MGM