Fresh
Director Gil Kenan ruins the pacing with too many half-baked, awkwardly staged horror set pieces, but the cast acquit themselves well enough.
Drew Hunt, Chicago Reader
Overview
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.
Director and cast
- Gil Kenan Director
- Sam Rockwell as Eric Bowen
- Rosemarie DeWitt as Amy Bowen
- Saxon Sharbino as Kendra Bowen
- Kyle Catlett as Griffin Bowen
- Kennedi Clements as Madison Bowen
- Jared Harris as Carrigan Burke
- Nicholas Braun as Boyd
- Jane Adams as Dr. Claire Powell
- Susan Heyward as Sophie
- Karen Ivany as Mrs. Stoller
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
29%
Tomatometer
Rotten
There's little doubt that nostalgia played a part in Fox's decision to remake Poltergeist, but that's a poor reason for any film's existence and no excuse for how uninspired Gil Kenan's re-imagining of this one turned out.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Fresh
It's not exactly a scary film, but it does provide an enjoyable ride. It's good fun. But it left me befuddled. A little sad. And a little angry.
Tirdad Derakhshani, Philadelphia Inquirer
Rotten
The original film was promoted with the tagline "It knows what scares you." If there was a truth-in-advertising law regarding films, this movie's ad copy would read: "Poltergeist: Meh."
Randy Cordova, Arizona Republic
Fresh
The new "Poltergeist" might well be the scariest movie 13-or-unders have yet seen, just as the original was for their parents back in 1982.
Neil Genzlinger, New York Times
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