Poltergeist II: The Other Side

Poltergeist II: The Other Side

Year: 1986

Runtime: 91 min

Language: English

Director: Brian Gibson

Horror

Following their terrifying ordeal, the Freelings seek a fresh start, but the paranormal activity follows them. A shaman and paranormal experts are brought in to investigate the unsettling events, uncovering disturbing secrets about their home. When the malevolent Beast finds Carol Anne, the family must work with the investigators to confront a sinister entity disguised as a reverend and rescue her from a dangerous situation.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Poltergeist II: The Other Side yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

One year following the chilling events of Poltergeist, the neighborhood of Cuesta Verde is undergoing a significant transformation. The site where the Freelings’ home once stood is now being evacuated and converted into an archaeological paranormal dig. During this excavation, a ground crew unexpectedly uncovers an underground cave, a discovery that catches the attention of the psychic Tangina Barrons. She reaches out to her friend Taylor, an American Indian shaman, to investigate further. It becomes clear to Taylor that the malevolent entity, Kane—a demon masquerading as a preacher—has targeted Carol Anne and that urgent action is needed to protect her.

Meanwhile, the Freeling family, consisting of Steven, Diane, Robbie, and Carol Anne, has relocated to Phoenix, Arizona. They now reside with Diane’s mother, Jessica “Grandma Jess” Wilson. Unfortunately, Steven has fallen on hard times after losing his real estate license, forcing him to sell vacuum cleaners door-to-door while dealing with the stress of insurance claims for their lost home. Grandma Jess possesses remarkable clairvoyant abilities and reassures Diane and Carol Anne of their own similar gifts. In a poignant farewell, she passes away, leaving behind a comforting promise to always “be there” as needed.

As Taylor arrives, a malignant force begins to assault their home. With the family having removed all televisions from their residence, Kane’s minions are left to exploit an alternate entrance through Carol Anne’s toy phone. This initial assault is thwarted, prompting the family’s hurried escape. Taylor introduces himself and persuades them that fleeing is futile, reinforcing their return to a temporarily secure home.

In a startling encounter, Kane appears at the door demanding entry, but Steven stands firm against him. Impressed by Steven’s resolve, Taylor guides him to the desert and grants him the Power of Smoke, a spiritual force capable of repelling Kane. Later, Tangina visits the family to unpack Kane’s dark history as the Reverend Henry Kane, detailing how he lured his followers into the cave, ultimately sealing their fate. With his malevolence forming, Kane transforms into a monstrous Beast, cunning and relentless in his pursuit to destabilize the family.

Tragedy strikes one night when Steven drunkenly succumbs to possession by a worm infiltrated by Kane. In a harrowing moment, he attacks Diane, whose desperate declaration of love momentarily breaks the hold over him. The situation escalates when the creature manifests into a gigantic, tentacled horror. However, Steven manages to use the Power of Smoke to cast it away. The time has come for the Freelings to confront Kane deep within his own territory—the Other Side.

Returning to Cuesta Verde and descending into the cavern that held their haunted past, they face Kane head-on. In a dramatic struggle, Kane seizes Carol Anne, inadvertently bringing the family together in a bid to fight back. With a charmed Indian lance in hand, Steven delivers a fatal blow to Kane, banishing him to the afterlife. As the family nearly crosses into that realm themselves, the spirit of Grandma Jess intervenes, guiding Carol Anne back to her family. Finally, the Freelings emerge safely from their trials, expressing their gratitude to both Taylor and Tangina for their unwavering support.

Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 13:33

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about families fighting evil like Poltergeist II: The Other Side

Stories of ordinary families uniting to fight extraordinary paranormal threats.If you liked the family dynamic in Poltergeist II: The Other Side, this list features similar horror and supernatural thrillers. Discover movies where the love and resilience of a family are their greatest weapons against demonic forces, hauntings, and otherworldly threats.

familial bondsupernatural dreaddesperateprotectivehauntinggood versus eviloppressiveunsettling

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically begin with a family experiencing a disruption to their normal life by a paranormal presence. The threat often targets a vulnerable member, like a child, forcing the family to seek help and ultimately rely on their own courage and connection to survive and vanquish the evil.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the family as both the target and the solution to a supernatural crisis. They blend high-stakes horror with the heavy emotional weight of familial love and protection, creating a uniquely tense and emotionally resonant experience.

Tense and oppressive horror movies like Poltergeist II: The Other Side

Unrelenting horror films where characters are trapped by a persistent evil presence.Fans of the relentless dread in Poltergeist II: The Other Side will find more chilling tales here. These films feature a steady, high-intensity pace, a tense tone, and a feeling of being under siege by a malevolent force, perfect for viewers seeking an unrelenting supernatural horror experience.

oppressiveunsettlinganxiousclaustrophobicsupernatural dreadrelentlessdesperatehaunting

Narrative Summary

The pattern involves a malevolent force establishing a persistent presence that continuously harasses the characters. The pacing is steady, moving from one frightening encounter to the next, building a sense of inescapable doom. The focus is on survival and breaking the siege, often requiring outside expertise or spiritual intervention.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared oppressive mood and steady, high-tension pacing. They deliver a consistent experience of supernatural dread, minimizing relief to maintain an anxious, claustrophobic feel from which the characters must desperately fight their way out.

Unlock the Full Story of Poltergeist II: The Other Side

Don't stop at just watching — explore Poltergeist II: The Other Side in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Poltergeist II: The Other Side is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Poltergeist II: The Other Side Timeline

Track the full timeline of Poltergeist II: The Other Side with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Poltergeist II: The Other Side Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Poltergeist II: The Other Side

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Poltergeist II: The Other Side. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Poltergeist II: The Other Side

Poltergeist II: The Other Side Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Poltergeist II: The Other Side that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Poltergeist II: The Other Side Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Poltergeist II: The Other Side

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Poltergeist II: The Other Side: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Poltergeist II: The Other Side

Similar Movies to Poltergeist II: The Other Side

Discover movies like Poltergeist II: The Other Side that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.