Trailer for POLTERGIEST Child Star Heather O’Rourke Documentary SHE WAS HERE Explores Her Life and Legacy
A new documentary is taking a thoughtful and personal look at the life of Heather O’Rourke, the beloved child actor who became a horror icon at just five years old.
She Was Here has officially dropped a trailer, giving audiences a glimpse at an intimate film that aims to celebrate O’Rourke’s life while addressing the myths that have surrounded her tragic passing for decades.
Virgil Films and IndieCan Entertainment have acquired the North American rights to She Was Here, which will debut on VOD and digital platforms on February 24. Kino Lorber will release the DVD on the same day. The documentary arrives during what would have been O’Rourke’s 50th year.
Directed by Brian Pocrass and Nick Bailey, the film was created with full participation from O’Rourke’s family, who appear throughout the documentary. That access extends far beyond interviews.
The filmmakers were granted entry to the family’s private archives, which include diaries, letters, photographs, and previously unseen home videos that paint a fuller picture of who O’Rourke was away from the spotlight.
O’Rourke became a household name after being cast by Steven Spielberg in Poltergeist, where she played Carol Anne Freeling. Her delivery of the chilling line “They’re here…” became one of the most recognizable moments in horror history and helped cement the film’s legacy. She went on to appear in the full Poltergeist trilogy before her sudden death at the age of 12.
For years, O’Rourke’s passing has been surrounded by internet speculation and conspiracy theories tied to the so-called “Poltergeist curse.” She Was Here directly addresses those narratives, pushing back against decades of rumors by presenting an authorized account told by the people who knew her best.
The documentary focuses on truth, memory, and family, rather than sensationalism, grounding its story in firsthand experiences and personal history.
She Was Here looks like a heartfelt attempt to reclaim O’Rourke’s story and reintroduce her to audiences beyond the myths that have followed her name. For fans of Poltergeist and those interested in Hollywood history, this documentary promises a more human and compassionate look at the young star.