The film Presence by Steven Soderbergh is currently showing in cinemas and has quickly gained popularity. At the time of publication. However, its online ratings are much more modest, with a 6.6 on IMDb. Let’s try to figure out what might be wrong with the film.
A Genre Experiment
Known for his experimental approach to cinema, Soderbergh takes on the mystical genre in Presence, offering a unique take on the haunted house story. As both director and cinematographer, Soderbergh crafted a film that, according to him, is not just a genre experiment but also a reflection of his personal experiences.
The film starts with a familiar horror setup: a family buys an old house at an attractive price. Rebecca, her husband Chris, and their children, Tyler and Chloe, move into the new home, enchanted by its atmosphere. But soon, they begin to experience strange occurrences. The first to sense the presence of something supernatural is Chloe, who is struggling with the recent loss of a loved one.
The Entity as the Author of the Events
A key feature of Presence is that the story is told from the perspective of the mysterious entity itself. The camera shows the world through the eyes of this formless presence, wandering through the rooms, observing the family’s life without being able to influence the events.
The entity, lacking both physical form and voice, becomes a silent witness to family conflicts and emotions. The nonlinear editing creates the effect of the entity slipping into sleep or instantly shifting perspectives.
Cinema Not for Everyone
Soderbergh has crafted an intimate, meditative film, one that feels more like a personal exploration than a wide-audience spectacle. Using a compact camera, he creates a sense of closeness and introspection. However, the marketing campaign, which promised a horror film in the vein of Paranormal Activity, ended up misleading viewers. The aggressive promotion gave audiences the wrong impression, presenting the film as a typical horror movie when, in fact, it’s much more subdued and atmospheric.
As a result, viewers expecting a terrifying spectacle were disappointed, only to face a philosophical drama instead. Meanwhile, those who could truly appreciate the film may have missed it due to the misleading expectations. Presence isn’t your typical horror movie — it’s a reflection on life and self-discovery. While it could be a revelation for fans of auteur cinema, it’s likely to leave disappointed those who came for something entirely different.
