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A family moves into a new house in a new area to support their son’s sporting ambitions. From the very beginning, it’s clear that someone—or something—is watching them, and before long, a ghost begins to make its presence known through poltergeist-like activity.

The cast includes Lucy Liu as Rebekah, the mother; Chris Sullivan as Chris, the father; and their teenage children, Chloe (Callina Liang) and Tyler (Eddy Maday). Beneath the surface, the film subtly portrays a dysfunctional family dynamic, with an evident favoritism between mother and son.

Enter Ryan (West Mulholland), Tyler’s charismatic yet slightly unsettling new best friend, who harbors a secret obsession with Chloe. Despite dealing with her own trauma—stemming from her best friend’s suicide via drug overdose—Chloe willingly entertains Ryan’s advances, unaware of his true intentions. Meanwhile, the ghost attempts to warn her, but she fails to see the signs.

The most unique aspect of Presence is its perspective—the entire film unfolds through the eyes of the ghost. While this isn’t an entirely original concept, the execution and storyline kept me engaged, constantly wondering what would unfold next. And let’s just say, it’s definitely not what you expect.

Directed by Steven Soderbergh (Sex, Lies, and Videotape), Presence at least attempts to bring something fresh to the paranormal genre. However, the theatrical trailer does the film a disservice, overselling it as “the scariest film you will ever see”—a claim unlikely to impress seasoned horror fans.

Final Verdict

Presence does not secure a place among horror classics, nor is it likely to become anyone’s favorite horror film. The potential was there, but it feels underexplored. As it stands, Presence is a mediocre way to spend an hour and 24 minutes—entertaining enough in the moment but leaving little lasting impression.

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A year after the death of his partner, Manel (Francisco Ortiz) lives alone in Galicia with his beloved cat, Lúculo, when a rabies-like disease begins to spread across Europe. His sister, Belén (Marta Poveda), is evacuated to the Canary Islands due to her husband’s military involvement. With flights grounded and the virus rapidly escalating, Belén urges Manel to stay put and wait it out. However, as food supplies dwindle, he makes the perilous decision to journey to the Canary Islands—with Lúculo by his side.

As far as zombie outbreak films go, Apocalypse Z doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it holds its own with confidence. The infected are fast, the virus mutates quickly, and the transformation process is terrifyingly swift. Despite familiar tropes, the film remains gripping, thanks to its intense pacing and strong emotional core.

I was fully invested in Manel’s survival—and, just as importantly, in the fate of his cat. The performances across the board are excellent, drawing you deeper into the desperate fight for survival. Director Carles Torrens (PET) does a superb job adapting Manel Loureiro’s novel, delivering a tense, pulse-pounding horror experience that pulls no punches.

With two more books in the Apocalypse Z series, the film leaves the door wide open for a sequel.

Final Verdict

Spanish horror consistently delivers some true gems, and Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End is no exception. If you love zombie films, you won’t be disappointed. The addition of a feline companion—much like A Quiet Place: Day One—adds an extra layer of emotional investment. And for those worried about Lúculo’s fate, rest assured: he survives.

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Iris (Sophie Thatcher) is madly in love with Josh (Jack Quaid). Their picture-perfect meet-cute blossoms into a relationship that leads them to a weekend getaway at an isolated cabin with Josh’s friends. However, the purpose of this trip is not what Iris expected, unraveling a web of truths, lies, and murder— proving that love really does hurt.

Writer-director Drew Hancock has crafted a cinematic masterpiece of black comedy. Sophie Thatcher delivers a brilliant, mesmerizing performance as Iris, while Jack Quaid fully embraces his sinister side— a role that suits him surprisingly well. Companion has a story to tell, offering a thought-provoking social critique without force-feeding its message.

The film’s gore is well-executed, enhancing its dark, atmospheric tone. It’s a clever, sharply made film with a solid cast who bring a strong sense of credibility to their roles. The tight editing keeps the pacing fast and engaging, ensuring the audience remains focused while throwing in bursts of unexpected violence to heighten the tension.

The film leaves you questioning: If given the opportunity, would you make the same choices? With the way the future is progressing, the ethical dilemmas presented in Companion may not be as far-fetched as they seem. As with anything, it all comes down to who is in control.

I won’t spoil anything, because Companion is best experienced knowing as little as possible before watching. Thatcher continues to prove herself as a rising star, with standout performances in Yellowjackets and, more recently, Hereticalongside Hugh Grant. She’s an actor to watch.

Final Verdict

If you love black comedies with stylish violence, gore, and a plot that keeps on giving, then Companion is a must-see— and one I’ll definitely be adding to my physical media collection.

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