Mikes Film Talk

The 2024 Horror/Drama Presence is incredibly slow paced. It is about a haunted person, not unlike Insidious, which its not. Everyone remembers the tagline from the 2010 horror film. “It’s not your house that’s haunted…” This is a similar premise but it moves oh so slowly. It is, at times, almost boring.

Presence the Story

A family relocates after a tragedy affects their daughter’s life. Their new “old” home appears to have a presence.

The Main Cast

Lucy Liu is Rebekah.

Chris Sullivan is Chris.

Callina Liang is Chloe.

Eddy Maday is Tyler.

West Mulholland is Ryan.

Behind the Scenes

Director Steven Soderbergh takes the script by David Koepp (Black Bag, Ghost Town) and draws the story out. He makes the tale almost slow to the extent of being boring. Although the “feel” of the film is one of quite sinister intent, it moves far too languorously to satisfy.

Soderbergh edits his own camera work here, and it shows. For example: The due care to each scene. Frames that utilize colour to the maximum extent possible and lighting that helps to move things along.

But oh so slowly.

It is this downplaying of theme and the almost agonizingly slow attempt at suspense that kills this one. Soderbergh likes to underplay his films, but this time, it does not pan out as expected.

What Does Work in Presence

The implication that the presence itself is “unformed” helps. We have no real idea what or who it is. *The “medium” Lisa introduces this idea. Natalie Woolams-Torres plays her small role with a subdued panache. She manages to impress with a few short lines and some excellent “footwork.” Kudos. #nosmallparts*

The family mix is pretty out there. Neither Rebekah nor Tyler are likable. We do like Chris and Chloe are instantly. Outsider Ryan, is pegged as a stinker right from the outset. This helps to keep us, the viewer, off kilter enough to sneak in that ending.

Incredibly, Soderbergh’s slow buildup ends all too soon. All broken glass and blood. The ending though, despite its almost anticlimactic feel, works.

Presence Verdict

Presence is a wavering 3.5 stars. It rates above average mainly due to the cast. Although, to be fair, Liu is given little to do here. Her existence is almost two dimensional. Everyone else works their little cotton socks off. The film is streaming on Hulu right now.

The Trailer