Janosz Poha

Lore & Background

Janosz Poha works at the art museum where Dana Barrett is restoring paintings. When a painting of Vigo the Carpathian comes to life, it enslaves Janosz, forcing him to do its bidding. Vigo orders Janosz to bring him a child to possess, allowing Vigo to escape the confines of his painting and live again to conquer the world. Because of his infatuation with Dana, Janosz chooses her infant son, Oscar. Later, a spirit appearing as Janosz kidnaps Oscar, and Dana pursues them into the museum, which is then covered with impenetrable slime. At the climax, the Ghostbusters neutralize Janosz with positive slime, freeing him from Vigo's control.

In Their Own Story

Janosz Poha is first seen at the museum, where he nervously approaches Dana Barrett. He is later shown under the influence of Vigo, speaking in a trance-like state as he receives orders. When the Ghostbusters investigate the museum, they encounter Janosz, who is now fully under Vigo's control. A spirit appearing as Janosz kidnaps Oscar, leading Dana to pursue them into the museum. During the final confrontation, the Ghostbusters use slime charged with positive emotions to neutralize Janosz, breaking Vigo's hold over him. After Vigo is defeated, Janosz is freed and the painting is replaced with one depicting the Ghostbusters surrounding Oscar.

Reader's Guide

Janosz Poha is played by Peter MacNicol, whose performance was repeatedly singled out for praise by critics. The character serves as a pawn for the main antagonist, Vigo the Carpathian, and his arc involves being enslaved, carrying out Vigo's orders, and ultimately being freed by the Ghostbusters' use of positively charged slime. Key moments include his initial introduction at the museum, his enslavement by Vigo, the kidnapping of Oscar, and his neutralization during the film's climax.

Did You Know?

• Janosz Poha is portrayed by actor Peter MacNicol, whose performance was repeatedly singled out for praise by critics.
• Under Vigo's control, Janosz is ordered to bring Dana's infant son Oscar to Vigo so the tyrant can possess the child and escape his painting.
• A spirit appearing as Janosz kidnaps Oscar, leading Dana to pursue them into the museum, which is then covered with impenetrable slime.
• The Ghostbusters neutralize Janosz with positive slime during the film's climax, freeing him from Vigo's control.
• Janosz works at the Manhattan Museum of Art, where Dana Barrett is employed restoring artwork.