Ever since coming back from retirement (or a 4-year sabbatical), director Steven Soderbergh has been exploring new storytelling and production methods, like filming movies on an iPhone (Unsane, High Flying Bird) or crafting improvisational dramas (Let Them All Talk). Presence continues this trend, telling a haunted-house story entirely from the ghost’s POV. While the first-person perspective is intriguing and results in some impressive shots, it’s never used effectively to enhance the story.
The film struggles to justify even its brief runtime, with an underdeveloped central plot about a grieving teenager (Callina Liang) whom the ghost becomes increasingly fixated on, and distracting subplots, like Rebecca’s (Lucy Liu) vague illegal activities. The performances feel stilted, and the antagonist comes across as an afterthought. There’s no meaningful exploration of sadness, trauma, or any other thematic depth.
Perhaps most frustrating is the film’s inability to establish a consistent atmosphere. Zack Ryan’s beautiful score hints at emotion but can’t carry the weight alone. Are we meant to feel scared, moved, or uplifted? The inconsistent tone leaves viewers adrift, and the rushed, unsatisfying ending only adds to the frustration.
A final twist about the nature of the ghost attempts to recontextualize the story. Still, instead of providing clarity, it raises more questions than it answers, why was the ghost trying to communicate in the first place? Why didn’t it intervene sooner? The revelation ultimately feels underdeveloped, leaving you wishing this aspect of the story had been explored more deeply. That said, the realization scene itself is well executed, punctuated by Lucy Liu’s chilling scream, delivering one of the film’s rare genuinely effective moments.
In the end, Presence is an exercise in gimmick over storytelling. The first-person ghost perspective is unique and can feel immersive at times, but it’s not enough to carry the film, which falters in its plot, characters, and emotional resonance.
- 1. Sinners
- 2. Shepherds (Bergers)
- 3. The Ballad of Wallis Island
- 4. Kiss of the Spider Woman
- 5. One of Them Days
- 60. Presence
- Where to watch
Prime Video
Buy or rent
Play trailer
- Original title
- Presence
- Director
- Steven Soderbergh
- Cast
- Callina Liang, Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, Eddy Maday, West Mulholland, Julia Fox, Lucas Papaelias, Natalie Woolams-Torres
- Rated
- 14A
- Screenwriter
- David Koepp
- Composer
- Zack Ryan
- Cinematography
- Steven Soderbergh
- Editor
- Steven Soderbergh
- Country
- Language
- English
- Budget
- $2 million
- Box office
- $11.069 million
- Streaming (CA)
- Amazon Prime Video
- Buy / rent (CA)
- Apple TV Store, Amazon Video