New Movies: Presence (2024) by Steven Soderbergh: An Unseen Entity Observes a Family's Unraveling Secrets
- dailyentertainment95
- Jun 12
- 13 min read
Core Summary
Presence (2024) is a psychological horror-thriller film directed by Steven Soderbergh, known for his innovative filmmaking and genre fluidity (Traffic, Erin Brockovich, Ocean's Eleven). Written by David Koepp (Jurassic Park, Mission: Impossible), the film innovatively presents its entire narrative from the unique, unblinking perspective of an unseen "presence" or spirit haunting a suburban house. When the Payne family—Rebekah (Lucy Liu), Chris (Chris Sullivan), and their children Tyler (Eddy Maday) and Chloe (Callina Liang)—moves into this seemingly idyllic new home, they gradually become convinced they are not alone. As the "presence" quietly observes and occasionally subtly intervenes, it witnesses the family's dark secrets, white-collar crimes, drug trafficking, and interpersonal betrayals unravel, culminating in a chilling and intimate exploration of grief, manipulation, and the human capacity for harm. The film is inspired by Soderbergh's own belief in a "presence" in his home.
Short Summary
Steven Soderbergh's Presence (2024) is a psychological thriller told entirely from a ghost's point of view. It follows a family moving into a new home, whose dark secrets and escalating tensions are observed by an unseen entity, culminating in a chilling unraveling of their lives
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28249919/
About movie: https://www.neonrated.com/films/presence
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/presence-2024 (US), https://www.justwatch.com/au/movie/presence (Australia), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/presence-2024 (Canada), https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/presence (France), https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/presence (UK)
Detailed Summary
Presence (2024) is a psychological horror-thriller film directed by the highly prolific and experimental filmmaker Steven Soderbergh. Known for his willingness to reinvent cinematic forms and flit between genres, Soderbergh also handled cinematography (under his pseudonym Peter Andrews) and editing (under his pseudonym Mary Ann Bernard) for this film. The screenplay was written by veteran screenwriter David Koepp. The concept for the film originated with Soderbergh's personal experience of sensing a "presence" in his own home.
Release and Festivals: The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2024. It then had a limited theatrical release in the United States by Neon on January 24, 2025, grossing $10.5 million on a modest $2 million budget. It was subsequently released for digital rental/purchase on VOD platforms on February 25, 2025, and began streaming on Hulu on June 3, 2025.
Unique Perspective: The most striking aspect of Presence is its first-person perspective. The entire film is shot from the point of view of the titular "presence" or spirit haunting the suburban house. The audience experiences the story through the "eye holes" of this spectral entity, observing the family's movements, conversations, and hidden actions without the spirit being seen by the characters (initially).
Plot Overview: The film centers on the Payne family—Rebekah (Lucy Liu), a "midlevel finance manager" potentially involved in white-collar crime; her husband Chris (Chris Sullivan), who becomes increasingly concerned about their daughter; their son Tyler (Eddy Maday), a star swimmer who is secretly involved in drug trafficking; and their daughter Chloe (Callina Liang), who is grieving the recent death of her best friend, Nadia, and begins to sense the "presence."
Upon moving into their new suburban home, subtle disturbances begin (falling items, renovators refusing to enter certain rooms).
Chloe believes the ghost is Nadia and means no harm.
The "presence" quietly observes and sometimes subtly intervenes, preventing negative interactions (like closing Chloe's door to shield her from Tyler's friend Ryan, who is involved in drug trafficking, or spilling a drugged drink).
As the family's secrets and hidden tensions unravel—including Rebekah's potential crime, Chris considering divorce for legal protection, Tyler's drug dealing and involvement in a revenge porn incident, and Chloe's vulnerability—the "presence" becomes a silent, all-seeing witness.
Family arguments escalate, revealing dysfunction and manipulation.
The "presence" physically disrupts Tyler's room after Chloe accuses him of posting a nude photo online, revealing its capacity for intervention.
The film culminates in a chilling climax where Ryan attempts to kill Chloe, revealing he was responsible for Nadia's death. The "presence" struggles to intervene physically, but manages to wake Tyler, leading to a struggle where both Ryan and Tyler die.
The grieving family eventually moves out, with Rebekah sensing the "presence" one last time.
Themes: The film delves into themes of grief, loss, family dysfunction, manipulation, voyeurism, moral decay, and the supernatural. It's described as a "taut character drama" and a "searing family melodrama" that finds its true horror in "the hollowness of the urbane secular upper-middle class ideal," and "the terrible ways in which one human being can manipulate another." It also explores the boundaries of existence and the emotional ties that bind.
Cast and Performances: The ensemble cast delivers strong performances within Soderbergh's unique formal constraints. Lucy Liu (Rebekah), Chris Sullivan (Chris), and Callina Liang (Chloe) are particularly noted, with Liang praised for her "ghostlike" and sensitive portrayal of Chloe. Julia Fox appears as the realtor, Cece.
Filmmaking Style: Soderbergh employs a minimalist yet highly effective style. The film relies on a single location, with each scene often presented in a single, unbroken shot (totaling only 35 shots in the entire film). This creates an immersive, voyeuristic experience, blurring the lines between observer and participant. It's not a jump-scare horror, but rather builds dread and "gentle melancholy," described as "low-key horror with a big impact" and an "art film that also works as a spellbinding horror film."
Plot Summary
New Home, Unseen Eye: The Payne family moves into a suburban house, unknowingly becoming subjects of an unseen entity's observation.
Subtle Disturbances: The "presence" begins to subtly manifest, causing minor disruptions and attracting Chloe's attention.
Family Secrets Unveiled: Through the "presence's" viewpoint, the audience witnesses the family's deep-seated secrets, including financial troubles, infidelity, and drug involvement.
Chloe's Connection: Chloe, grieving her friend Nadia's death, senses the "presence" and believes it is Nadia's spirit, attempting to communicate or protect her.
Escalating Tensions: The family's internal conflicts and moral compromises escalate, fueled by manipulation and betrayal.
Violent Climax: The "presence" intervenes more directly, ultimately leading to a violent confrontation that results in tragedy and the revelation of dark truths.
Departure and Lingering Spirit: The surviving family members move out, leaving the "presence" to linger in the empty house.
Director's Vision
Steven Soderbergh's directorial vision for Presence (2024) is a formal experiment that reinvents the haunted house genre by placing the audience directly into the perspective of the haunting entity. Inspired by his own experiences, Soderbergh aimed to explore themes of voyeurism, observation, and the unseen forces that witness human lives, as well as the dark undercurrents of a seemingly perfect suburban family. His vision emphasizes:
First-Person Perspective: The core stylistic choice is to present the entire film from the ghost's POV. This is not just a gimmick; it's designed to make the audience feel like an omnipresent observer, fostering a unique sense of intimacy and dread as secrets unfold.
Subtle, Psychological Horror: Moving away from overt jump scares, Soderbergh focuses on a "low-key horror" that builds dread through observation of character dynamics, moral decay, and the slow unraveling of a family unit. The "real terror" lies in "the hollowness of the urbane secular upper-middle class ideal."
Intimate Character Study: Despite the supernatural element, the film is primarily a "taut character drama" and a "searing family melodrama." Soderbergh aims to dissect the complex relationships, hidden resentments, and manipulative tendencies within the Payne family.
Minimalist Formalism: Employing a single location and remarkably few, long takes (only 35 shots in the entire film), Soderbergh forces the audience to meticulously observe the details of the domestic space and the nuances of the characters' interactions. This approach creates a sense of "quietly momentous" observation.
Exploration of "Presence": Beyond a literal ghost, Soderbergh uses the conceit to explore the idea of unseen forces or lingering energies, whether from the past or from the hidden lives of the present inhabitants, that "witness" our actions and shape our reality. The "presence" is ultimately a mirror reflecting the family's own moral state.
Key Themes
Voyeurism and Observation: The film's unique POV forces the audience into the role of a silent observer, mirroring the ghost's perspective on the family's private lives.
Family Dysfunction and Secrets: The unraveling of a seemingly perfect suburban family, revealing layers of betrayal, manipulation, and hidden transgressions.
Grief and Loss: Chloe's mourning for her friend Nadia, and the broader exploration of how grief impacts individual and family dynamics.
Moral Decay: The insidious ways in which self-interest, white-collar crime, and personal betrayals corrupt relationships and individuals.
The Unseen and Supernatural: The existence of unseen entities and their subtle influence or mere observation of human affairs.
Trapped Existence: The metaphorical (and literal, for the ghost) idea of being confined or stuck, unable to fully intervene or escape.
Truth and Perception: How different family members perceive events and each other, often failing to see the full, horrifying truth.
Key Success Factors
Innovative Filmmaking: Soderbergh's unique first-person POV (from the ghost's perspective) is a bold and highly effective formal experiment that reinvents the haunted house genre.
Strong Script: David Koepp's screenplay expertly weaves a compelling family drama with psychological thriller elements, despite being noted for its overt dialogue.
Expert Direction: Soderbergh's signature lean, efficient direction creates a taut and immersive experience within a single location.
Compelling Performances: Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, and Callina Liang deliver strong, nuanced portrayals of a family in crisis.
Festival Acclaim: A successful Sundance premiere and positive critical reception highlight its artistic merit and originality.
Modest Budget, High Impact: Demonstrates Soderbergh's ability to create a high-impact film with a relatively low budget, proving concept and execution over spectacle.
Awards and Nominations
Presence (2024) premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2024. As a recent release, specific major awards or nominations are still to be announced.
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% positive reviews (231 critics), with an average rating of 7.1/10. Consensus: "A slow-burning spectral thriller, Presence reaffirms that Soderbergh plays with form as deftly as he flits between genres."
Metacritic: Score of 77 out of 100 (53 critics), indicating "generally favorable" reviews.
Critics have specifically praised the film's cinematography and lean, single-location structure, as well as the performances.
Critical Reception
Critical reception for Presence (2024) has been largely positive, with critics highlighting Soderbergh's formal innovation and the film's psychological depth, though some minor criticisms about the script's dialogue were noted. It holds a "Certified Fresh" rating of 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metascore of 77/100 ("Generally Favorable Reviews").
Praise for Formal Experimentation: Reviewers universally commended Soderbergh's decision to tell the story entirely from the ghost's perspective, calling it a "trademark stylistic twist" and an "originality" that's a "pleasure to take in." It was seen as a "subversive" move for a horror film.
Psychological Depth: Many noted that the film is "not your typical jump-out-go-boo creepfest," but rather a "taut character drama" and "searing family melodrama" that finds its real horror in the family's unraveling secrets and manipulative behaviors.
Performances: The cast, particularly Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, and Callina Liang, received praise for their "strong" and "compelling" portrayals within the unique narrative constraint.
Atmosphere and Mood: The film was described as building dread and "gentle melancholy," being "chilling and almost mystical," and having "some poetry in its heart."
Criticisms: Some critics found David Koepp's screenplay "strangely overwritten," with characters sometimes explicitly stating their feelings, and a plot that occasionally felt "unoriginal." Despite this, many still found it "smart, and elegant" and "quietly momentous."
Overall, Presence is seen as a "minor Soderbergh" in terms of scale, but "still a whole lot more interesting than a whole lot of directors at their flashiest," a unique and thoughtful addition to his filmography.
Reviews
Reviews for Presence (2024) consistently emphasize its unique perspective and its blend of a haunted house story with family drama:
First-Person POV: This directorial choice is the most discussed element, praised for its immersion and for making the audience a silent, voyeuristic witness to the family's hidden lives. It creates a sense of "unseen observer" and "unblinking eye."
Psychological Horror: Critics note that the film's horror comes less from supernatural scares and more from the deep-seated dysfunctions, manipulations, and moral failings within the human family. The "haunting" is often a reflection of the family's internal turmoil.
Family Drama at Core: Beyond the ghost story, the film is seen as a compelling character study of a family unraveling under pressure, revealing complex relationships, secrets, and a lack of genuine connection.
Minimalist Yet Impactful: Soderbergh's signature efficiency, using a single location and long takes, is lauded for creating a tight, atmospheric, and impactful narrative despite its low budget.
Acting Nuance: The performances are generally strong, with the actors effectively conveying the hidden depths of their characters through subtle actions and expressions, often under the constant "gaze" of the unseen camera.
Themes of Grief and Betrayal: The film's exploration of Chloe's grief and the family's various forms of betrayal resonates deeply with reviewers.
Box Office
Presence (2024) had a successful box office run for an independent psychological thriller.
Budget: $2 million
Worldwide Box Office: $10.5 million (as of late March 2025)
Domestic (USA & Canada) Box Office: $6.9 million
Opening Weekend (USA): $3.3 million from 1,750 theaters (finished 6th)
It was released theatrically in the US on January 24, 2025.
Production Summary
Presence (2024) is an American psychological horror-thriller film with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes (85 minutes). It is directed by Steven Soderbergh, who also served as cinematographer (under the pseudonym Peter Andrews) and editor (under the pseudonym Mary Ann Bernard). The screenplay was written by David Koepp.
Production Companies
Sugar23
Extension 765
Sales Companies
Information regarding specific sales companies (beyond the distributor) is not widely available, but Neon handled the US theatrical distribution, and Lucky Red and Tanweer Alliances handled distribution in Italy and Greece, respectively.
Distribution Companies
Neon (United States - Theatrical)
Hulu (United States - Streaming, from June 3, 2025)
Lucky Red (Italy - Theatrical)
Tanweer Alliances (Greece - Theatrical)
Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango at Home (USA - Digital rental/purchase, from February 25, 2025)
Criterion Channel (Anticipated future streaming platform)
Streaming Release Date
Presence (2024) was released for digital rental and purchase (VOD) on February 25, 2025, available on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Fandango at Home. It began streaming on Hulu on June 3, 2025.
Theatrical Release
Presence (2024) premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2024. It then had a limited theatrical release in the United States starting January 24, 2025. It also saw theatrical releases in other territories, such as Greece on February 20, 2025.
Why to Recommend the Movie
Groundbreaking Perspective: Its unique first-person POV from a ghost offers an innovative and immersive cinematic experience unlike most horror films.
Masterful Direction: Steven Soderbergh's lean, precise direction transforms a simple haunted house premise into a taut psychological drama.
Intense Family Unraveling: The film expertly dissects the complex and often dark dynamics of a dysfunctional family, revealing deep secrets and betrayals.
Thought-Provoking Themes: Explores grief, voyeurism, morality, and the lingering "presences" of the past in a compelling way.
Strong Performances: Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, and Callina Liang deliver powerful, nuanced performances that anchor the film.
Why to Watch the Movie
If you are a Steven Soderbergh fan: This is a must-see for its experimental approach and return to his signature themes.
For a unique take on the haunted house genre: It's a subtle, psychological thriller that avoids jump scares in favor of building dread through observation.
If you enjoy intense family dramas: The film's core is the unraveling of a family under the weight of their own secrets.
To experience innovative cinematography: The constant ghost's-eye view is a fascinating and immersive narrative device.
If you appreciate films that prompt reflection: It encourages contemplation on themes of guilt, observation, and the unseen forces in our lives.
Movie Trend
The film strongly aligns with the trend of Auteur-Driven, Experimental Cinema, particularly by established directors who use their renown to push formal boundaries within genre films. It falls into the category of Elevated Horror or Psychological Thrillers that prioritize character study and thematic depth over jump scares. The first-person POV also positions it within the broader trend of Immersive Storytelling and unique narrative devices in cinema. Its acquisition by Neon for theatrical release and subsequent streaming on Hulu also reflects the evolving Distribution Models for independent and arthouse films.
Social Trend
Presence (2024) taps into several relevant social trends. Its portrayal of a seemingly perfect suburban family harboring deep secrets and moral compromises reflects a societal interest in exposing the "Dark Underbelly of the Suburbs" and the hidden struggles behind polished facades. The themes of white-collar crime, drug dealing, and revenge porn (though briefly mentioned) resonate with contemporary anxieties about Societal Corruption and Moral Decay. Furthermore, the concept of a constant, unseen "presence" observing private lives can be seen as a metaphorical reflection of modern concerns around Surveillance, Privacy Invasion, and Digital Voyeurism in an increasingly interconnected world. The film also touches on the universal experience of Grief and Unresolved Trauma and its long-lasting impact.
Final Verdict
Presence (2024), directed by the perpetually innovative Steven Soderbergh, is a compelling and unsettling psychological horror-thriller that brilliantly reinvents the haunted house genre. By telling its entire story from the unblinking, first-person perspective of an unseen "presence," the film immerses the audience in the quiet unraveling of the seemingly perfect Payne family. Through this unique lens, Soderbergh and writer David Koepp masterfully expose layers of family dysfunction, dark secrets, and moral decay, creating a taut and often chilling character study. Anchored by strong performances from Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, and Callina Liang, Presence is not a film of cheap scares, but rather a profoundly intelligent and deeply resonant exploration of grief, manipulation, and the inescapable consequences of one's actions, leaving a lingering sense of disquiet long after the credits roll.
Recommendations for filmmakers
Embrace Formal Experimentation: Don't be afraid to challenge conventional cinematic grammar (like POV, single-location shooting, long takes) if it serves the story and enhances the audience's experience.
Prioritize Psychological Depth in Genre: For horror or thrillers, focus on internal fears, character flaws, and human-on-human manipulation. These can be far more terrifying and resonant than external monsters.
Leverage Production Constraints Creatively: A limited budget and single location can be strengths, forcing creative solutions and a focus on intimate storytelling and character performance.
Collaborate with Trusted Writers: A strong, well-crafted screenplay is paramount, even if the director plans to bring unique stylistic flourishes. A solid narrative foundation is essential.
Subvert Audience Expectations: If entering a familiar genre, find ways to subtly (or overtly) subvert tropes to keep the audience engaged and offer a fresh perspective.
Recommendations for Movie Industry
Support Auteurial Risk-Taking: Continue to champion directors like Steven Soderbergh who consistently push boundaries and experiment with cinematic form, as their work often leads to critical acclaim and artistic innovation.
Invest in "Elevated Genre" Films: Recognize the increasing demand for horror, thrillers, and sci-fi that offer intellectual and emotional depth, appealing to a broader and more discerning audience.
Value Unique Narrative Approaches: Promote and acquire films that employ innovative storytelling techniques, as these contribute to the evolution of cinema and capture audience attention.
Utilize Targeted Distribution Strategies: For films that are more experimental or niche, employ strategic theatrical releases and subsequent digital/streaming windows to maximize reach to their specific audience.
Encourage Script Originality: Prioritize screenplays that offer fresh perspectives on familiar themes, even if the execution requires unconventional methods.
Final Conclusions
Presence (2024), directed by the perpetually innovative Steven Soderbergh, is a compelling and unsettling psychological horror-thriller that brilliantly reinvents the haunted house genre. By telling its entire story from the unblinking, first-person perspective of an unseen "presence," the film immerses the audience in the quiet unraveling of the seemingly perfect Payne family. Through this unique lens, Soderbergh and writer David Koepp masterfully expose layers of family dysfunction, dark secrets, and moral decay, creating a taut and often chilling character study. Anchored by strong performances from Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, and Callina Liang, Presence is not a film of cheap scares, but rather a profoundly intelligent and deeply resonant exploration of grief, manipulation, and the inescapable consequences of one's actions, leaving a lingering sense of disquiet long after the credits roll.
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