Summary
Discover why Soderbergh's ghost-perspective thriller 'Presence' offers a haunting glimpse into family dysfunction with Lucy Liu and Chris Sullivan, but does the unique storytelling approach live up to the hype as 'the scariest film you will ever see'?
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.