Poltergeist II: The Other Side
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) | Release Date: May 23, 1986 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
49
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 10 Critic Reviews
Positive:
3
Mixed:
5
Negative:
2
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
Los Angeles TimesMichael Wilmington
The second film never has the hardness or urgency of the first. Its best moments, perhaps happily, tend to come from the actors rather than the story or Richard Edlund's effects: especially newcomers Geraldine Fitzgerald and Julian Beck. [23 May 1986]
60
The New YorkerNina Darnton
The film offers some spectacular special effects and excellent ensemble acting, including two virtuoso performances by Geraldine Fitzgerald and the late Julian Beck. But the movie, like most sequels, has no reason for existing beyond the desire to duplicate a financial success. Read full review
50
Time OutStaff (Not Credited)
This sequel, sans Spielberg but obedient to his spirit, simply fails to regenerate the original's gut-grinding fears that make you dread ever scratching a spot again. And the contribution of Giger's design work has only added one near-unwatchable sequence. Read full review
50
TV Guide MagazineStaff (Not Credited)
Although an improvement thematically over the first film (the childlike awe of the original has been replaced by a very adult fear of impotence), Poltergeist II is terribly disjointed and dramatically unfulfilling. Read full review
50
NewsweekDavid Ansen
It groans under the burden of explanations and exposition, not to mention moral homilies. Family love can conquer evil, according to director Brian Gibson's sequel, which is very nice to know but not why anybody will plunk down money to see this movie. [02 June 1986, p.75]
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