Poltergeist III (1988)

Introduction
"Poltergeist III" is a 1988 American supernatural scary movie directed by Gary Sherman and the third installation in the "Poltergeist" series. The film stars Tom Skerritt, Nancy Allen, Heather O'Rourke, and Zelda Rubinstein who plays the psychic Tangina Barrons-- a character also appearing in the first two movies. After the previous films set in rural houses, this sequel especially relocates the supernatural horror to a Chicago high-rise home complex.

Plot Overview
The storyline of "Poltergeist III" includes Carol Anne (Heather O'Rourke), a young girl who has a history of encounters with ghosts, staying with her auntie and uncle in their Chicago high-rise apartment or condo building. She is targeted by the malicious spirit Reverend Kane, who seeks her for her strong psychic abilities. Carol Anne is now living with her Aunt Patricia (Nancy Allen), Uncle Bruce (Tom Skerritt), and teenage cousin Donna (Lara Flynn Boyle). They are unaware of Carol Anne's supernatural history, thinking she is merely attending a school for talented but mentally troubled children.

The Keeper of Spirits
Finding Carol Anne's powerful psychic abilities, seer Tangina Barrons takes steps to protect her. Tangina realises that the wicked Reverend Kane, now in the form of a ghost, is attempting to have Carol Anne. Regardless of her actions, the poltergeist handles to penetrate the high-rise complex through its network of mirrors.

Intensifying Terror
As soon as inside the building, Kane kidnaps Carol Anne and traps Donna, Aunt Patricia, Uncle Bruce, and a number of others within an alternate dimension via the building's mirrors. The caught victims are led to think they are back in their own world, experiencing haunting visions of their worst worries and insecurities. The mirror world is a direct reflection of the real one, albeit with unsettling differences.

Resolution
Having actually lost interaction with Carol Anne, Tangina gets the help of a spiritual guide, Zelda (Kipp Marcus), to find and save her. After more paranormal encounters, Tangina sacrifices herself to get rid of Kane and totally free the family from the mirror world. The film concludes ambiguously as Tangina disappears, recommending that although Kane has been destroyed, Tangina may not have actually made it through the conflict.

Behind The Scenes
"Poltergeist III" was marked by tragedy due to the abrupt death of its young star, Heather O'Rourke, who died four months prior to the film's release due to a health problem. Recording was completed before her death, however a stand-in was used for re-shoots.

Reception
The movie got blended to negative evaluations when it was launched, with critics citing lack of creativity and over-reliance on unique results as the primary powerlessness. Over time, it has collected a cult following amongst fans of 80s horror and the "Poltergeist" series as a whole. Despite the criticism, the movie stands as a notable workout in 1980s horror looks, with its metropolitan setting and over-the-top scare sequences challenging the conventions of the series.

Top Cast