AtanariaSteven Soderbergh’s Presence takes a familiar supernatural premise and flips it on its head, offering a ghost story told entirely from the perspective of the spirit. It’s a fascinating concept that breathes new life into the haunted house genre, and while the film doesn’t quite reach the heights of the best horror offerings of 2024, it’s an intriguing, fleeting experience that lingers—if only for a little while.
A Ghost’s-Eye View of a Family in Crisis
The film begins with the titular Presence—an unseen spirit drifting through an empty house. We don’t know who they are, what they want, or even if they’re benevolent or malevolent. When a troubled family moves in, the ghost silently observes their struggles. Chloe (Callina Liang), grieving the loss of a close friend, finds herself isolated in her own home. Her mother, Rebecca (Lucy Liu), is emotionally distant and favors her older son, Tyler (Eddy Maday), despite his questionable behavior. Meanwhile, Chris (Chris Sullivan), the father, is trying to hold everything together while contemplating divorce.
The Presence watches over them, particularly Chloe, and occasionally intervenes—but only in small, ambiguous ways. Is the ghost trying to help, or does it have its own motivations? This mystery keeps the audience engaged, with the film’s first-person perspective pulling us into the haunting in an eerily intimate way.
A Story More About the Living Than the Dead
While Presence is undoubtedly a ghost story, it plays more like a family drama with supernatural elements. We spend more time with the dysfunctional dynamics of the household than with traditional horror scares. This grounded approach makes the characters feel real, with standout performances—especially from Chris Sullivan, whose portrayal of a well-meaning but frustrated father adds emotional weight.
There are some brilliant moments where the film plays with the audience’s perspective. The Presence isn’t just a passive observer; it reacts. In one particularly tense scene, we see the ghost take an interest in a disturbing moment when one of Tyler’s friends tries to spike Chloe’s drink. The camera, serving as the ghost’s eyes, zooms in as if making a decision. These subtle touches give the film a unique energy, making us question the nature of the haunting.
Lost Potential and an Uneven Climax
Despite its intriguing premise, Presence doesn’t fully capitalize on its best ideas. A subplot involving a medium hints at fascinating possibilities—such as spirits perceiving time differently—but these concepts are only briefly touched upon. There’s also an opportunity to explore the idea of possession, which could have added another layer of depth, but the film largely sticks to its observational style.
The climax is where Presence stumbles the most. As the movie veers into different genre territory without much buildup, the tonal shift feels jarring. The resolution leaves lingering questions, but not necessarily in a satisfying, thought-provoking way. Instead, it feels like the film introduces complex ideas at the last moment without fully committing to them.
All in All…
Presence is a film that feels as fleeting as its ghostly protagonist—an intriguing, well-crafted experience that doesn’t quite leave a lasting impact. It’s beautifully shot, with a creative narrative perspective that makes it stand out among standard horror fare. However, its reluctance to fully explore its most interesting concepts holds it back from greatness.
Still, for its brief runtime, Presence is a compelling watch that offers a refreshing twist on the haunted house genre. It may not haunt your mind for long, but while it lasts, it’s an experience worth having.
