Poltergeist: Why A Second Remake Is Unnecessary

1982’s Poltergeist is a certified horror classic, but the 2015 remake fell flat, and the Russo Brothers shouldn’t go back down that road. When it comes to ghost movies, they don’t get much better than Poltergeist. Directed by Tobe Hooper – or Steven Spielberg, depending on who one believes – Poltergeist serves as a prime example of the fact that horror doesn’t always need graphic gore and an R-rating to work. Although granted, if the PG-13 had existed at the time, Poltergeist likely would’ve gotten that instead of PG, since a man rips off his face.

One of the things that really makes Poltergeist work is just how likeable and relatable the central family is. Steve, Diane, Carol Anne, Robbie, and Dana Freeling are the typical suburban family of the 1980s, getting into minor disputes with their neighbors, dealing with all the trials and tribulations of growing up, and above all, loving and caring about each other. That is until their bonds are tested by the arrival of a malevolent ghost called The Beast, later revealed in the sequels to be a preacher named Henry Kane.

At this point, just about every classic horror film has been remade or rebooted, so it’s not surprising that it eventually happened to Poltergeist. Predictably though, the remake failed to make much of an impression, and faded into obscurity almost as quickly as it appeared. While the Russo Brothers are said to be developing a remake, there’s really no need to make the same mistake twice.

Poltergeist: Why A Second Remake Is Unnecessary

To be sure, Joe and Anthony Russo have earned the benefit of the doubt on any project they elect to make after the phenomenal critical and commercial success of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. That said, there are a million other ideas their considerable talents would better be spent on. With 2015’s Poltergeist, fans were treated to a remake that changed the characters up a bit, but basically told the same story, to the point of repetition. The ending thankfully went in somewhat of a different direction, but by that point it was too little too late. Horror remakes that slavishly devote themselves to redoing the original’s greatest hits rarely work, and Poltergeist 2015 was no exception.

So, if they absolutely have to remake it, the Russos would be better off making this third Poltergeist a major departure from the original, as we’ve already seen that story onscreen twice. The question then becomes though, if it’s majorly different, why not just make it an entirely new film? If the Russo Brothers want to make a ghost movie, there’s no studio that’s going to turn them down, and they’ll likely get full creative control. Surely such a creative pair can come up with a better idea than remaking a movie that’s already gotten remade before, with two prior sequels to boot. None of the follow-ups ever touched the original in quality, and it’s time to let Poltergeist stay buried, even if it’s under a housing development.

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