"Presence" is a 2024 American supernatural horror film directed by Steven Soderbergh. Shot in black and white and featuring a unique visual style, the film explores themes of family dynamics, perspective, and the unseen.
Plot Summary
"Presence" unfolds from the unique perspective of an unseen presence inhabiting a newly moved-into suburban home. The narrative centers on a family of four: Rebecca (Lucy Liu) and Chris (Chris Sullivan), who are separating, and their teenage children, Tyler (Callan Mulvey) and Emma (Julia Fox). As the family settles into their new residence, strange and unsettling events begin to occur, all witnessed through the eyes of the unseen entity. The film gradually reveals the family's internal tensions, secrets, and emotional struggles as they grapple with the mysterious occurrences in their home. The "presence" observes the family's interactions, hinting at a deeper, possibly supernatural, layer to their domestic drama. The story culminates in a suspenseful and chilling climax as the nature of the presence and its connection to the family become clearer.
Director's Vision
Steven Soderbergh, known for his innovative and genre-bending filmmaking, approaches "Presence" with a focus on perspective and visual storytelling. Soderbergh aimed to create a truly unique cinematic experience by shooting the entire film from the point of view of an unseen entity within the house. This stylistic choice is intended to immerse the audience directly into the narrative, making them active observers of the unfolding family drama and supernatural events. Soderbergh emphasizes suspense and atmosphere over jump scares, using the subjective camera to build tension and create a sense of unease. His vision was to craft a horror film that is as much about psychological and emotional dynamics as it is about supernatural occurrences, exploring how perspective shapes our understanding of reality and family relationships.
Themes
Perspective and Subjectivity: The film's unique POV cinematography highlights how perspective shapes reality and understanding, questioning who is watching and what they perceive.
Family Dynamics and Dysfunction: "Presence" delves into the complexities of family relationships, exposing tensions, secrets, and the emotional undercurrents within a seemingly normal suburban family.
The Unseen and the Unknown: The film explores the fear of the unseen and the unsettling nature of unexplained phenomena, playing with the audience's sense of perception and reality.
Home and Insecurity: The suburban home, typically a symbol of safety, becomes a site of unease and mystery, questioning the security and comfort of domestic spaces.
Emotional Turmoil and Psychological Horror: Beyond supernatural scares, the film focuses on the psychological horror of family conflict, separation, and the emotional "hauntings" that can exist within a home.
Key Success Factors
Unique Point-of-View Cinematography: Shooting the entire film from an unseen entity's perspective is a highly innovative and distinctive stylistic choice that sets it apart.
Steven Soderbergh's Direction: Soderbergh's reputation for inventive filmmaking and genre experimentation draws audience interest and critical attention.
Suspenseful and Atmospheric Horror: The film prioritizes building suspense and psychological tension over typical horror tropes, appealing to viewers who appreciate nuanced horror.
Strong Cast Performances: Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, and Julia Fox are recognized names that bring credibility and talent to the ensemble cast.
Intriguing Premise: The concept of experiencing a story entirely from an unseen presence's perspective is inherently captivating and promises a fresh take on the horror genre.
Summary (Short)
"Presence" (2024), directed by Steven Soderbergh, is a supernatural horror film shot entirely from the POV of an unseen entity in a house. It follows a family of four as they experience unsettling events, revealing their internal struggles and secrets through a unique and suspenseful cinematic lens.
Critical Reception
Critical reception for "Presence" has been generally positive, particularly praising its innovative point-of-view technique and Steven Soderbergh's direction. Reviewers highlight the film's ability to create suspense and unease through its unique perspective, even if some find the narrative somewhat minimalist. Some critics note that while the POV concept is intriguing, the story itself might be less impactful than the stylistic execution. Overall, "Presence" is considered a noteworthy and experimental horror film that showcases Soderbergh's directorial creativity and offers a fresh take on the genre.
Box Office Performance
US & Canada lifetime gross: $6,897,345 Worldwide lifetime total gross: $9,051,122
Reviews on Cinema Sites
Cinema sites like Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, IndieWire, and RogerEbert.com have provided reviews, as linked above. These reviews offer critical perspectives on the film's unique style, narrative, and overall impact. Aggregators like Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic will likely compile more reviews as the film gets wider release and streaming availability.
Production Summary
"Presence" is an American independent film directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by David Koepp. The film is notable for its low-budget production and Soderbergh's signature efficient filmmaking style. It was shot quickly and discreetly, with a focus on the unique POV concept. The black and white cinematography enhances the film's atmosphere and sense of unease.
Production Companies
Extension 765
Distribution & Sales Summary
NEON acquired the film after its Sundance premiere for theatrical distribution. Hulu later acquired streaming rights.
Distribution and Sales Companies
NEON (Theatrical Distributor - USA, Limited Release)
Hulu (Streaming Distributor - USA)
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28249919/
About movie: https://www.neonrated.com/film/presence
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/presence-2024 (US), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/presence-2024 (Canada), https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/presence (UK), https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/presence (France)
Why to Recommend This Movie
"Presence" is recommended for viewers who appreciate:
Innovative and Experimental Horror: Fans of horror films that push boundaries and experiment with style and perspective.
Steven Soderbergh's Films: Admirers of Soderbergh's diverse filmography and his inventive approach to genre.
Psychological and Atmospheric Horror: Viewers who prefer suspense and unease over jump scares and gore.
Unique Cinematic Experiences: Those seeking films that offer a fresh and distinctive viewing experience through unconventional techniques.
Independent and Art House Horror: Audiences who enjoy independent films that explore horror themes with a focus on atmosphere and character.
Why You Should Watch Movie (with bullets)
Unique Point-of-View Horror: Experience a film shot entirely from the perspective of an unseen presence, offering a truly innovative cinematic approach.
Steven Soderbergh's Direction: Witness the creativity and skill of acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh in the horror genre.
Suspenseful and Atmospheric: Immerse yourself in a film that masterfully builds tension and creates a chilling atmosphere.
Intriguing Premise: Explore a story that blends supernatural elements with family drama, raising questions about perspective and reality.
Relatively Short Runtime: At 84 minutes, it's a concise and engaging horror experience.
Final Verdict
"Presence" is a stylistically daring and effectively suspenseful horror film that showcases Steven Soderbergh's inventive filmmaking. While some may find the narrative somewhat understated, the film's unique point-of-view cinematography and atmospheric tension create a memorable and unsettling cinematic experience. It's a recommended watch for those seeking a fresh and experimental take on the horror genre, particularly for fans of Soderbergh's work and viewers interested in films that prioritize atmosphere and psychological unease over conventional scares. With its streaming release on Hulu, "Presence" is easily accessible for audiences looking for a distinctive and thought-provoking horror film.
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