Presence Review — Steven Soderbergh Makes a Chilling Family Drama Under the Guise of a Ghost Movie

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Although it premiered at Sundance almost a year ago, Steven Soderbergh’sPresenceis finally making its way to theaters, and audiences may well find themselves surprised by it both formally and narratively. A refreshing spin on a familiar genre,Presencemanages to perfectly tread the line between challenging audiences and delivering satisfying entertainment.

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PresenceReview

Presencefollows a family who, after moving to a new house in the suburbs following a tragedy, begin to believe that they are being haunted by an unseen presence. At the core of the film is a relatively standard haunted house story, but this is only the framework upon which something much more intriguing and complex is built.

Like much of Soderbergh’s recent output,Presenceis as much an experiment in form as it is anything else. He shot the movie using DSLR cameras as opposed to the typical high-grade professional camera equipment, and the result feels much more intimate than a film shot using that higher-end technology would be. Considering the almost voyeuristic nature of the movie, this vibe of the cinematography works perfectly.

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It is unfortunate that the marketing seems intent on positioningPresenceas a horror movie, as its focus is more on the family drama. The most obvious point of comparison would be David Lowery’sA Ghost Story— it’s a movie with ghosts, not a ghost movie. If you’re coming into this expecting jump scares, you’ll be sorely disappointed. However, if you’re willing to embrace its slow burn, atmospheric, spooky drama, it may haunt you in unexpected ways.

David Koepp’s script does have some weaknesses, particularly when it comes to its themes. Its dependence on a central mystery prevents it from exploring its themes with the amount of depth it would have needed to be genuinely meaningful. It also confuses a lack of development for unpredictability, as many of the third act twists come across as more unjustified than they do unexpected.

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That being said, when it focuses on the relationships between its characters,Presencecan be quite compelling. It’s quite easy to get invested in the relationship between the brother and sister, as it takes the conventions of this dynamic and turns them on their head, resulting in something that feels entirely lived in. Other portions, such as their parents’ marriage, are largely sidelined, but this feels like a worthy sacrifice to keep the film at a lean sub-90-minute runtime.

For the most part,Presenceis a four-hander. There is a supporting cast that includes Julia Fox (Uncut Gems) and West Mulholland (Dark Harvest), but the main focus is on this central family. The most recognizable performer isLucy Liu(Charlie’s Angels), who is good but has the least to work with. Chris Sullivan and Eddy Maday both have their moments. The biggest highlight, though, is young actress Callina Liang, who brings a ton of depth to her role. With only four roles on her resume, including this one, Liang has a bright future ahead of her.

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However, there is an unsung fifth lead in the movie, and that is the house itself. Although this area typically only gets highlighted for period pieces and sci-fi pictures,Presenceis a perfect example of how a brilliantly crafted space can affect a contemporary film. Every corner and crevice of this house is important, not just for the logistics of pulling off its fluid long takes but also for the atmosphere.

IsPresenceworth watching?

Presencedoes have some shortcomings, but Steven Soderbergh’s characteristically visionary direction and some compelling character work allow the film to overcome its weaknesses. There’s a lot to admire here, particularly if you are a fan of Soderbergh’s more audacious swings.

Presenceopens in theaters on January 24.