Poltergeist II: the Other Side (1986)
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39% of critics liked it
(18 reviews) -
47% want to see it
(11,513 ratings)
One of the more effectively spooky and financially successful horror films of the '80s got an inevitable sequel with this effects-heavy installment. The Freeling family is trying to grapple with the devastation wrought by the ghosts and ghouls that destroyed their lives. The insurance company… More One of the more effectively spooky and financially successful horror films of the '80s got an inevitable sequel with this effects-heavy installment. The Freeling family is trying to grapple with the devastation wrought by the ghosts and ghouls that destroyed their lives. The insurance company doesn't believe their story about what happened to their house, so Steve (Craig T. Nelson), Diane (JoBeth Williams), and their kids, Carol Anne (Heather O'Rourke) and Robbie (Oliver Robins), have been reduced to living in the home of Diane's mother, Jess (Geraldine Fitzgerald). Unfortunately for the Freelings, however, their new residence, just like their last, is situated on a haunted patch of unholy ground. A century before, the mad cult leader Kane (Julian Beck) slaughtered his followers nearby, and his evil spirit has returned in an effort to kidnap Carol Anne. When the Freelings realize what's happening, they call upon the psychic medium Tangina Barrons (Zelda Rubinstein) to help them again, and they also receive aid from a kindly Native American spiritualist, Taylor (Will Sampson). Noticeably absent from the sequel was older daughter Dana, who had been played by actress Dominique Dunne; Dunne was killed in 1982 by her obsessed boyfriend. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
- Directed By
- Brian Gibson
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Horror
- Studio
- MGM Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Derek Adams, Time Out
This sequel, sans Spielberg but obedient to his spirit, simply fails to regenerate the original's gut-grinding fears...
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Nina Darnton, New York Times
Seems like a string of special effects held together by a far-fetched story line with an unsatisfying sticky-sweet ending.
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Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
They don't come much more ridiculous...
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David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
As needless a sequel as one could envision...
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Terribly disjointed and dramatically unfulfilling.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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JoBeth Williams
as Diane Freeling
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Craig T. Nelson
as Steve Freeling
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Heather O'Rourke
as Carol Anne Freeling
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Oliver Robins
as Robbie Freeling
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Zelda Rubinstein
as Tangina Barrons
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Will Sampson
as Taylor
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Julian Beck
as Rev. Henry Kane
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Geraldine Fitzgerald
as Gramma Jess
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John P. Whitecloud
as Old Indian
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Jaclyn Bernstein
as Young Diane
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Helen Boll
as Mother
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Nobel Craig
as Vomit Creature
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Pamela Gordon
as Kane's Person
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Rocky Krakoff
as Kane's Person
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Robert Lesser
as Kane's Person
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Carrie Lorraine
as Kane's Person
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Susan Peretz
as Daughter
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Kelly Jean Peters
as Young Jess
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Haley Taylor-Block
as Kane's Person
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Jamie Abbott
as Kane's Person
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Ann Louise Bardach
as Kane's Person
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David Beaman
as Kane's Person
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Syd Beard
as Kane's Person
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Chelsea Hertford
as Kane's Person
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Kathy Wagner
as Kane's Person

