Poltergeist II: The Other Side
The Freeling family move in with Diane's mother in an effort to escape the trauma and aftermath of Carol Anne's abduction by the Beast. But the Beast is not to be put off so easily and appears in a ghostly apparition as the Reverend Kane, a religeous zealot responsible for the deaths of his many followers. His goal is simple - he wants the angelic Carol Anne; but the love of her family and the power of psychic Tangina once again unite, along with an elderly native American, to fight for her life.
Despite a mid-range budget of $19.0M, Poltergeist II: The Other Side became a commercial success, earning $41.0M worldwide—a 116% return.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 1 win & 5 nominations
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 II: The Other Side (1986) reveals carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Brian Gibson's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 31 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The Freeling family now lives with Diane's mother in a cramped trailer, displaced and traumatized after losing their home, struggling to rebuild their lives in the shadow of their supernatural ordeal.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Reverend Kane appears at their door, demanding Carol Anne with hypnotic power and religious manipulation, revealing that the supernatural threat has followed them and specifically targets their daughter.. 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.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Steve is possessed by Kane through the tequila worm, transforming him into a vessel for evil. The protector becomes the threat, and the family's greatest fear is realized—the enemy is now inside their home., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 68 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Carol Anne is pulled into the other side through a supernatural vortex in the house. The family's worst nightmare occurs—their daughter is taken into Kane's realm of the dead. All seems lost., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 72 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. The family enters the spirit realm, confronts Kane and his cult of lost souls. Using the power of light and love channeled through Carol Anne, they defeat Kane. The house is destroyed but the family escapes, finally free from the supernatural curse., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Poltergeist II: The Other Side's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Poltergeist II: The Other Side against these established plot points, we can identify how Brian Gibson utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Poltergeist II: The Other Side within the horror genre.
Brian Gibson's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Brian Gibson films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Poltergeist II: The Other Side takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Brian Gibson filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye. For more Brian Gibson analyses, see The Juror, What's Love Got to Do with It.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The Freeling family now lives with Diane's mother in a cramped trailer, displaced and traumatized after losing their home, struggling to rebuild their lives in the shadow of their supernatural ordeal.
Theme
Grandma Jess tells the family, "You can't run away from your past. It's part of who you are," establishing the film's theme about confronting unresolved darkness rather than escaping it.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the family's fragile new normal: Steve unemployed and drinking, Diane anxious about Carol Anne, Robbie troubled. Taylor the shaman appears to warn them. Kane, the sinister reverend, begins stalking the family.
Disruption
Reverend Kane appears at their door, demanding Carol Anne with hypnotic power and religious manipulation, revealing that the supernatural threat has followed them and specifically targets their daughter.
Resistance
Taylor explains Kane's origin as a cult leader who led his followers to death, now seeking Carol Anne from the other side. The family debates whether to flee again or stand their ground. Steve resists believing while supernatural incidents escalate.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The family experiences escalating supernatural attacks: the garage possession, the tequila worm creature, spiritual cleansing rituals. Steve undergoes shamanic preparation while Kane's power grows stronger, probing for weaknesses in their defenses.
Midpoint
Steve is possessed by Kane through the tequila worm, transforming him into a vessel for evil. The protector becomes the threat, and the family's greatest fear is realized—the enemy is now inside their home.
Opposition
Possessed Steve terrorizes the family before Taylor exorcises him. Grandma Jess dies, weakening their spiritual protection. Kane's forces intensify attacks. The family realizes they must enter the spirit realm itself to end this.
Collapse
Carol Anne is pulled into the other side through a supernatural vortex in the house. The family's worst nightmare occurs—their daughter is taken into Kane's realm of the dead. All seems lost.
Crisis
The family confronts their deepest fears and grief. Steve must overcome his weakness and doubt. Taylor prepares them for the final confrontation, but acknowledges he cannot go with them—they must face Kane with their own spiritual strength.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The family enters the spirit realm, confronts Kane and his cult of lost souls. Using the power of light and love channeled through Carol Anne, they defeat Kane. The house is destroyed but the family escapes, finally free from the supernatural curse.