Presence: Movie Review

Cast: Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, Callina Lang, Eddy Maday
Director: Steven Soderbergh

A counterpoint in some ways to director Robert Zemeckis' Here, Steven Soderbergh's spectral thriller follows a family - the Paynes - as they move into a new house following a series of traumas.

Daughter Chloe is troubled following the death of a friend, but mother Rebecca (Liu, icy in parts) dismisses her worries, even though father Chris (Sullivan) worries for her mental health.  Things are made worse by brother Tyler, who scorns his sister's pain, prompting fractures in the family.

However, their issues are put aside when it seems there is a presence lurking in the house...

Presence has some strong moments with its first person point of view camerawork lending an uncomfortable feeling of voyeurism in some points and also making the viewer complicit within the Paynes' lives.

But while some of the dialogue choices in this housebound-set thriller seem a little odd and occasionally stilted, the idea of putting the camera into the middle of the action (such as it is) promotes a level of intimacy into proceedings that is compelling and highly engaging.

And even though the concept of the film is what may appeal here, some of the script delivers some excellent insights into relationships. From Rebecca's inexorable bond to Tyler and her approval of his appalling behaviour to Chris' concerns and candid caring comments to his daughter Chloe, there are moments that shine here.

It's just a shame that the film's 90 minute run time starts to really feel every moment of its length - and a last minute run of events feels like a desperate scramble for some kind of justification for the film's existence.

As a formal experiment, Soderbergh's Presence is a thrilling idea - one that thrives on what VR has done but perhaps an even tighter edit and script could have rendered it even more unnerving than it is, exploring the concept that other people's houses have ghosts to new owners.

As it is Presence certainly has one - but like the spectre in it, it's somewhat frustratingly fleeting.