Poltergeist (2015)

"The scariest thing about this Poltergeist remake? Realizing Sam Rockwell starred in it and doesn’t even remember."

 

Episode Description

This week, Landen and Truman venture into haunted suburban basements to tackle the 2015 remake of Poltergeist. From Sam Rockwell’s detached performance to the film’s baffling creative choices, they dissect how this remake compares (spoiler: not well) to the original 1982 classic. Along the way, they unpack horror’s obsession with suburbia, the legacy of haunted house tropes, and the real villain—2015’s CGI.

 

Major Cast and Crew

• Director: Gil Kenan
• Writers: David Lindsay-Abaire (screenplay), Steven Spielberg (original story)
• Main Cast:
  • Sam Rockwell as Eric Bowen
  • Rosemarie DeWitt as Amy Bowen
  • Jared Harris as Carrigan Burke
  • Jane Adams as Dr. Claire Powell
  • Saxon Sharbino as Kendra Bowen
  • Kyle Catlett as Griffin Bowen
  • Kennedi Clements as Madison Bowen

 

Film Synopsis

A financially struggling family moves into a foreclosed suburban house, only to discover their youngest daughter has been abducted by malevolent spirits. With the help of a TV ghost hunter and his paranormal team, the family faces haunted trees, creepy clowns, and questionable CGI to rescue their child before she’s lost forever.

 

Episode Highlights

• Why the 2015 remake lacks the charm and depth of the original Poltergeist.
• Sam Rockwell’s bizarrely disengaged performance as a haunted suburban dad.
• The haunting suburban isolation of foreclosed neighborhoods.
• How the film’s CGI turned terrifying concepts into comedy.
• Why the original Poltergeist remains a haunting masterpiece.

 

What’s your favorite haunted house movie? Share your pick in the comments or on social media!

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