PRESENCE: A Unique Family Drama with a Supernatural Twist

A family seeking a fresh start in a new home has their hopes interrupted when they suspect something else is inside. Written by veteran screenwriter David Koepp and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Steven Soderbergh, Presence is an unsuspecting family drama that’s built on a unique premise under the guise of a casual haunted house flick — which audiences will either love or hate.

Rebecca (Lucy Liu) and Chris (Chris Sullivan) are excited about the new opportunities their charming new home can offer for their family. Their son Tyler (Eddy Maday) is a decorated competitive swimmer with a bright future ahead, while their daughter Chloe (Callina Liang) struggles with the aftermath of her best friend’s passing.

As they settle into their new abode, Chloe begins feeling something is in the house, clinging to hope that it’s the spirit of her friend. While her mother and brother think she’s only seeking attention, her father worries it’s something else. But they’ll soon realize that perhaps they are not alone.

Nowadays, it’s quite rare to come across an inventive ghost story. Especially when the setup is a family seeking new beginnings by unknowingly moving into a haunted house. It’s something that’s been done to death because it works with audiences, but Presence changes the formula by being filmed in first-person perspective, of the ghost.

This is a very alluring gimmick but it’s not just that. It was slightly dizzying at first, but you do begin to settle into it and the camerawork is a wonderful way to get insight into the family, their dynamics, and the traumas they’re dealing with.

We have an empathetic father who’s deeply worried about his daughter’s ability to cope. That daughter who is desperately seeking someone to understand. A mother who’d rather pretend everything is fine while placing her son on a pedestal. And that golden child of an older brother who’s an arrogant jock despite his father’s pleas to be more caring.

That’s honestly the film’s biggest focus. You get an intimate view of the family in their most vulnerable moments. The apparition—and we as the viewer—are but a voyeur peering into their imperfect life. And you’ll have a different appreciation for this creative choice once that film concludes, giving you an entirely new perspective. It almost feels like a stage play in some aspects, especially with its continuous shots and long monologues, which the cast wonderfully delivers.

Those coming into the film expecting a tense or frightening haunt may want to check their expectations. It’s more of a character study and a slow-burn watch than anything else. That would be my one critique, as I felt it could have picked up the pacing much sooner than it does. It spends a lot of time really cementing the family dynamics, which are extremely important to the plot, but I don’t feel it needed to take as much time doing that.

But despite its subdued pacing, the third act is solid and pivots to unraveling the mystery. It subverts expectations and raises the stakes quite effectively. And there is also a solid twist that comes in at the very end that makes all the somber storytelling feel worth it.

While Presence is not what I expected, I did enjoy what eventually unfolded. The more I sit with the film, the more I appreciate it. I think this will be an extremely polarizing film and some people may hate it for its quiet build-up and lack of frights. But if you think of it as a family drama rather than a supernatural thriller, you may find it to be an intriguing, character-driven experience.