Henry Kane also referred Reverend Henry is the main antagonist of the Poltergeist film series, and especially the main responsible for the events of the first film.
His true form and identity are revealed in the 2nd movie. He is a sinister man who pretends to be good and formal in order to convince innocent souls and lead them to their doom.
Poltergeist II (1986)[]
The Freeling family, have moved to Phoenix, Arizona, and now live in a house with Diane's mother, Jessica Grandmother Jess Wilson. Having lost his real estate license, Steve sells door-to-door vacuum cleaners while filing repeat insurance claims to cover the missing home. Grandma Jess is very clairvoyant, and she says that Diane and Carol Anne are clairvoyant too. Grandma Jess dies of natural causes, but not before telling Diane for the last time that she will always "be there" if she needs her.
Henry Kane in his Undead form.
Later, the medium Tangina Barrons brings a friend named Taylor, who is a Native American shaman. After investigating an underground cave in the cemetery, Taylor discovers that the Reverend Henry Kane, a dead and insane preacher, found Carol Anne and goes after her. Taylor appears when Kane begins his first attack on the house.
He cannot attack via television, as the family has removed all televisions from the house, so Kane's henchmen are forced to find another way, via Carol Anne's toy phone. The attack fails, and the family leaves the house in no time. Taylor shows up and convinces them that the execution would be a waste of time, because Kane would find them again, and they decide to return.
From the Grave[]
Kane himself shows up at the house one day in human form, and forces them to let him in, but Steven confronts him and refuses. Taylor congratulates him on resisting Kane, and then takes him into the desert and gives him "Smoke Power", a native spirit that can repel Kane. Tangina shows up at the house and helps Diane understand Kane's story and how he became "The Beast" who is now stalking the family!
Later, Tangina tells the family the story of Reverend Henry, who locked up followers of his cult to let them die and feed on the pain and rage of their lost souls.
The Beast[]
One night, Steven lets his guard down and gets drunk, swallowing a maguey worm that is possessed by Kane, who temporarily possesses it. He attacks and tries to rape Diane, who screams at her that she loves him. Steven then vomits the worm possessed by Kane, which grows into a huge tentacled monster. In this form, Kane attacks Steven, but he uses spirit smoke to drive him away.
Henry Kane in his Poltergeist form.
The Beast then decides on another attack, and this time, the family decides to confront The Beast on its own ground, the Other Side. The Freelings return to Green Slope and enter the cavern below their old house, where Kane brings Diane and Carol Anne up on the Other Side.
Steven and Robbie jump after them through a fire started by Taylor. On the other hand, Steven, Diane, Robbie, and Carol Anne team up, but Kane grabs Carol Anne. Taylor receives an enchanted native spear in Steven's hands, and Steven stabs Kane with it, defeating the monster and causing him to fall into the afterlife.
Carol Anne almost crossed over into the afterlife as well, but the spirit of Grandma Jess appears and returns her to the family. The Freelings then return safely to the world of the living, and thanks to Taylor and Tangina.