06/28/2025
In the 1982 horror film Poltergeist, real human skeletons were used during the filming of the pool scene. This decision was made due to budget constraints, as actual skeletons were cheaper and more accessible than manufacturing realistic fake ones at the time.
Actress Jobeth Williams, who portrayed Diane Freeling, was unaware that the skeletons used in the water were real. She only learned the truth several years after filming when she spoke with a special effects team member. During the conversation, she praised the realistic appearance of the skeletons, only to be informed that they had, in fact, been genuine human remains. Until then, she had believed they were artificial props created by the production team.
The pool scene required Williams to perform in water, surrounded by these skeletons, which added to the unsettling nature of the revelation. This fact has since become one of the most talked-about behind-the-scenes details of the film.
Poltergeist was released on June 4, 1982, and was shot in a 2,300-square-foot house located in Simi Valley, California.
The use of real skeletons contributed to the film’s eerie reputation and has fueled discussions surrounding the so-called “Poltergeist curse,” referencing the series of unexplained events and tragedies involving the cast and crew after the film’s release. The pool scene remains one of the most iconic moments in horror cinema, now known not only for its visuals but for the disturbing reality behind the scenes.
