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Presence Review

Directed By: Steven Soderbergh
Written By: David Koepp
Runtime: 85 minutes
MPA Rating: Rated R for violence, drug material, language, sexuality and teen drinking.
Lucy Liu – Rebekah
Chris Sullivan – Chris
Callina Liang – Chloe
Eddy Maday – Tyler
West Mulholland – Ryan
Lucas Papaelias – Carl
Natalie Woolams-Torres – Lisa
Julia Fox – Cece
Oscar-winning filmmaker Steven Soderbergh presents a uniquely crafted haunted house story in Presence. The feature offers a novel hook for its supernatural premise, as the entire feature unfolds from the point of view of a potentially ghostly, spectral presence of a suburban home, where a family has just moved in. Although the film goes on some underwhelming tangents, Soderbergh brings a refreshing perspective to the supernatural thriller.
In Presence, a supernatural force witnesses a family moving into their new home. Mother Rebekah (Liu) carries a very type-A personality compared to her more laid-back, go-with-the-flow husband Chris (Sullivan). However, Rebekah seems more invested in the welfare and future of her teen son Tyler (Maday) due to his promising athletic prospects, neglecting her daughter, Chloe (Liang), who is still mourning the recent mysterious loss of her best friend.
Meanwhile, a ghostly force, or rather a “presence,” appears to pay close attention to the family, especially Chloe. The presence observes the family’s darkest secrets, including a brewing legal incident involving Rebekah that brings potential incarceration. The presence’s will and motives are a complete mystery, but the entity eventually makes its existence known to the family, and an ominous danger encroaches upon them.
Soderbergh and writer David Koepp’s hook for Presence, taking the perspective of a literal ghost, comes off as gimmicky at first. However, it allows for a fascinating alternative take on the supernatural thriller genre. The spectral force’s voyeuristic perspective constantly observes the family during their most private, intimate moments, which shows the family’s tenuous, fracturing bonds. Soderbergh strongly maintains the entity’s perspective throughout the narrative without trying to cheat his way around it. Therefore, a significant amount of exposition is left open to interpretation, forcing the audience to use their imaginations to connect various dots.
The film’s unique perspective adds a compelling layer of intrigue and suspense throughout the story since the entity’s intentions become a part of the film’s unfolding mystery. To Koepp’s credit, confusing and strange events happen throughout the first half, but they eventually lead to satisfying revelations and payoffs.
That said, the film dedicates significant screentime time to various subplots as misleading diversions that don’t go anywhere. Koepp heavily focuses on Rebekah’s legal issues causing problems in her marriage with Chris in a way that inspires frustration. Another strange scene depicts Tyler vividly describing to his parents and sister how he committed a legally dubious prank against an innocent girl at school. It’s a bizarre scene because it’s framed as if Tyler is sharing a funny story about school or scoring a game-winning play, but the character describes something wrong and horrific. The scene might attempt to depict Tyler’s lack of empathy and how Rebekah enables Tyler’s behavior. However, it comes off awkwardly when Tyler reveals to his parents that he doxxed a young girl and treats it like a harmless joke.
Soderbergh portrays more fascinating emotional truths with his depiction of the family’s interpersonal dynamics in Presence. Rebekah demonstrates far more interest in Tyler’s livelihood over Chloe’s at a time when her daughter is emotionally vulnerable. It’s not that Rebekah acts with malice regarding her daughter’s emotional state, but Soderbergh presents a stark realism concerning how parents sometimes treat their children differently. Sullivan performs as Chris with a surprising fatherly wisdom and integrity, making the character significantly more likable.
Presence culminates in a rewarding final act, with a twist that rewards its audience for paying attention. While the film is rough around the edges, and some character subplots feel underdeveloped, more often than not, it provides a relatively novel take on supernatural thrillers with a gimmick that works well within its confines.