Poltergeist
The Freelings' suburban home becomes the center of paranormal activity that opens a portal to the 'other side'. With help, they must cross over to get their daughter back.
Despite its small-scale budget of $10.7M, Poltergeist became a commercial juggernaut, earning $121.7M worldwide—a remarkable 1038% return. The film's bold vision engaged audiences, demonstrating that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Poltergeist (1982) exemplifies deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Tobe Hooper's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 54 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Steve Freeling falls asleep in front of the TV after a football game in his suburban home. The family lives in a peaceful, newly-developed neighborhood called Cuesta Verde, representing the American dream of middle-class comfort.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Carol Anne announces "They're here" to the TV, and that night furniture moves on its own in the kitchen. Diane discovers chairs stacked on the table and objects moving independently, marking the first undeniable supernatural event.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Carol Anne is pulled into the closet by supernatural forces and disappears into another dimension. Her voice calls out "Mommy, where are you?" from the TV static. The family crosses into a new reality where they must fight to get their daughter back., moving from reaction to action.
At 58 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Tangina Barrons, a spiritual medium, arrives and reveals the truth: Carol Anne is alive in another dimension, but there is also a malevolent presence called "The Beast" that is using her life force. The stakes are raised—it's not just a haunting, but a battle against an evil entity., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 85 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, After believing they're safe, Steven discovers the swimming pool excavation has unearthed coffins and skeletons—the neighborhood was built on a cemetery. That night, the spirits return with rage. Robbie is attacked by a tree and nearly killed, and Carol Anne is dragged back toward the portal., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 91 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The family escapes the house as it implodes into the portal. The entire neighborhood watches as coffins and corpses emerge from every yard. Steven confronts Teague about moving the headstones but not the bodies. The family drives away from Cuesta Verde forever., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Poltergeist's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Poltergeist against these established plot points, we can identify how Tobe Hooper utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Poltergeist within the horror genre.
Tobe Hooper's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Tobe Hooper films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Poltergeist represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Tobe Hooper filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye. For more Tobe Hooper analyses, see The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Invaders from Mars and The Funhouse.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Steve Freeling falls asleep in front of the TV after a football game in his suburban home. The family lives in a peaceful, newly-developed neighborhood called Cuesta Verde, representing the American dream of middle-class comfort.
Theme
Steven's boss Mr. Teague discusses the development: "It's not ancient tribal burial grounds, it's just... people." The theme of desecrating sacred spaces for profit and the consequences of building on top of the past is established.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the Freeling family: Steven and Diane, their three children (Dana, Robbie, and Carol Anne), and their dog. We see their comfortable suburban life, the children's fears, and the first signs of supernatural activity as Carol Anne communicates with the TV static.
Disruption
Carol Anne announces "They're here" to the TV, and that night furniture moves on its own in the kitchen. Diane discovers chairs stacked on the table and objects moving independently, marking the first undeniable supernatural event.
Resistance
The Freelings attempt to rationalize the phenomena. Diane is initially playful and fascinated by the "spiritual presence," treating it as benign. Steven is skeptical. The activity escalates with objects moving and strange occurrences, but they debate whether to take it seriously or leave.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Carol Anne is pulled into the closet by supernatural forces and disappears into another dimension. Her voice calls out "Mommy, where are you?" from the TV static. The family crosses into a new reality where they must fight to get their daughter back.
Mirror World
Dr. Lesh and her team of parapsychologists arrive to investigate. Dr. Lesh becomes a mentor figure who helps the Freelings understand what they're facing. She represents scientific investigation of the spiritual realm and validates their experience.
Premise
The parapsychologists document the haunting and attempt to communicate with Carol Anne through the TV. The family experiences the full supernatural activity: entities appearing, objects moving violently, and establishing contact with their daughter trapped in the spectral realm.
Midpoint
Tangina Barrons, a spiritual medium, arrives and reveals the truth: Carol Anne is alive in another dimension, but there is also a malevolent presence called "The Beast" that is using her life force. The stakes are raised—it's not just a haunting, but a battle against an evil entity.
Opposition
Tangina conducts a spiritual rescue operation. Diane must enter the spectral realm through the closet portal to retrieve Carol Anne. The house fights back with increasing violence. They successfully bring Carol Anne back, and Tangina declares the house "clean," but ominous signs suggest otherwise.
Collapse
After believing they're safe, Steven discovers the swimming pool excavation has unearthed coffins and skeletons—the neighborhood was built on a cemetery. That night, the spirits return with rage. Robbie is attacked by a tree and nearly killed, and Carol Anne is dragged back toward the portal.
Crisis
Diane fights desperately to save her children as the house implodes with supernatural fury. Corpses emerge from the ground throughout the neighborhood. The family faces complete annihilation as The Beast makes its final attempt to take the children.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The family escapes the house as it implodes into the portal. The entire neighborhood watches as coffins and corpses emerge from every yard. Steven confronts Teague about moving the headstones but not the bodies. The family drives away from Cuesta Verde forever.