The internet is a wonderful thing. Very Aware is highlighting some movies that Netflix is offering with its Watch Instantly feature. Movies you may have missed or movies you may have forgotten. Netflix is a treasure trove, let’s dig in!
MOVIE:
POLTERGEIST
YEAR:
1982
CAST:
Craig T. Nelson, JoBeth Williams, Beatrice Straight
PLOT:
Life is pleasant for the close-knit Freeling family (headed by Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams) until a host of otherworldy forces invades their peaceful suburban home, transforming their house into a swirling supernatural sideshow that’s centered around their angelic young daughter (Heather O’Rourke).
I would like to take this time to publicly thank Steven Spielberg, Tobe Hooper and everyone involved with POLTERGEIST for scaring the living daylights out of me as a child. You guys didn’t just creep me out, you scarred me for life. To this day, I still can’t go to sleep without making sure a clown is sitting at the end of my bed.
There are some movies that do more than affect you, they actually get under your skin and shape the type of person you will be. POLTERGEIST is one of those movies. It was the first time that Steven Spielberg took my trust and TOTALLY TURNED IT AGAINST ME! I’ll never forgive you, Steven! Okay, maybe. Side note: I’m still pissed about INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL.
The thing that scared me the most about POLTERGEIST was the setting: inside a house. A house like the one I lived in! A supposedly safe house in a supposedly safe neighborhood! After this movie I started to doubt everything about my young life. Was I really as secure as I thought? How was I to know that my street wasn’t built over an ancient burial ground? This changed everything.
I sound like I’m making a big deal out of this movie but, you guys, this movie was a big deal. Not only is it expertly made, not only is it fascinating on more than one level but it’s legitimately scary as hell. Of course, you know that, you’ve seen it.
You have seen POLTERGEIST, haven’t you?
POLTERGEIST is available on Netflix Watch Instantly right here. Turn off the lights, climb under a blanket and enjoy.
