We have such a treat for you!
I recently sat down with my good friend, Oliver Robins to chat about his amazing career. Most people know Oliver as Robbie Freeling from ‘Poltergeist” dealing with that menacing clown and scary tree. Oliver’s work continues to entertain audiences today as an accomplished actor, director, writer and producer.
This is the first of three fascinating conversations with Oliver spanning his filmmaking journey. Enjoy this wonderful three-part series from Terry Jarrell and Dark Frights!
Part One
Celebrity Crush – What’s It All About?
”You know, ‘Celebrity Crush’ is really my love letter to psychological thrillers, but it also comes from a pretty personal place. Having been in the spotlight as a kid, I’ve seen the fascinating and sometimes frightening dynamics between celebrities and fans firsthand. This film dives into those murky waters – what happens when admiration morphs into obsession.
The story follows Jonathan Blakely, a former horror movie star who became famous for his role in a cult classic slasher film called ‘Pirate Slayer.’ Years later, he agrees to attend a small horror convention where he meets Emily, this super enthusiastic fan who seems to know everything about him. At first, it’s flattering, right? We all want to be appreciated for our work. But things take a dark turn when Jonathan realizes Emily’s obsession goes way beyond normal fandom.There’s this pivotal scene where Jonathan discovers Emily’s shrine dedicated to him – movie posters, candid photos she’s taken without his knowledge, personal items she’s somehow acquired. It’s this moment when both he and the audience realize this isn’t just an eager fan – there’s something much more disturbing happening. I wanted to create this slow-building tension where the audience feels Jonathan’s growing unease.“
“Another key moment I’m particularly proud of is when Jonathan tries to escape Emily’s house and discovers she’s been impersonating him online, damaging his reputation and isolating him from people who might help. It explores how celebrities can become these projections of whatever fans want them to be, rather than actual people. I drew from some of my own experiences with intense fans over the years – nothing as extreme as in the film, thankfully! [laughs] But there were definitely uncomfortable encounters that made me think about the parasocial relationships that form between fans and the people they admire.“
“What makes this story different from typical stalker films is that I wanted to examine the psychology behind obsession rather than just creating a monster. Emily truly believes she’s helping Jonathan’s career and that they have a special connection. There’s this delusion that’s almost sad beneath the terrifying behavior. If you’re curious to check it out, you can stream it right now on Amazon Prime Video or Tubi. I’d love to hear what you think if you watch it!”
“The Poltergeist Legacy and Beyond”
“Ah, Robbie Freeling – that poor kid terrorized by the clown doll, trees, and everything else that goes bump in the night! [laughs] Playing Robbie in ‘Poltergeist‘ was such a wild ride for me as a child. I mean, how many kids get to say they worked with Steven Spielberg and Tobe Hooper on what would become one of the most iconic horror films ever? That creepy clown scene still gives people nightmares, which I find kind of hilarious considering I was the one who had to film it!
I came back for ‘Poltergeist II: The Other Side‘ a few years later, which was this whole other adventure. The funny thing is, people sometimes think I was in ‘Airplane II’ or ‘The Twilight Zone’ – I wasn’t, but I’ll take it as a compliment that people imagine my filmography is more extensive than it was! [laughs] My acting career was mostly during my childhood, but those experiences were formative in ways I couldn’t have imagined at the time. They ultimately led me behind the camera, which is where I found my true calling.”