Poltergeist

by Jacob Trussell

Tobe Hooper and Steven Spielberg’s 1982 film Poltergeist showed the world a haunted house like we’d never seen before. The film transplanted the Gothic tradition of ghost stories into the saccharine suburban setting of Reagan-era America. Utilizing themes and aesthetics the filmmakers explored in their disparate work throughout the 1970s, Hooper and Spielberg turned their horror story into a pointed indictment of the suburban American Dream.

But was Poltergeist’s criticism of the suburbs by Spielberg’s design, or by Hooper’s?

Through extensive research into the filmmakers' careers and the incendiary media reports and conflicting accounts from cast and crew that bubbled up during and after the film's production, Jacob Trussell explores how Hooper and Spielberg's aesthetic interests coalesced on Poltergeist before their relationship became mired in rumor and speculation in the aftermath of the film's release.

In doing so, Trussell aims to offer context to the question horror fans have been debating for decades: Who really deserves credit for the success of Poltergeist?

213 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2023

Reviews

[Andreas Tornberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super interesting to read about the making of one of the most iconic horror movies of all time and whether it’s a Tobe Hooper movie or a Spielberg movie. Really enjoyed this book.

[BookgirlonGoodreads · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting look at the making of Poltergeist which centers on an apparent controversy over whether or not this is a Spielberg movie or a Hooper movie.

[Gary Jaffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trussell's highly readable, in-depth history and analysis of POLTERGEIST (and the two legendary creators behind it) goes beyond what you might expect. The book expands outward, functioning as a withering indictment of the post-War and Reagan-era American Dreams, a dual exploration of the lives and legacies of Hooper and Spielberg, and a thoughtful meditation on how and why movies get made and what makes them good.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inhaled this before it could even get listed on this site. Can't recommend this highly enough, an invaluable overview of the whole situation.

[Monty · Rating 1 out of 5]

sucks.