PRESENCE - Movie Review

[ChadAV]

It’s not horror it’s family drama. I liked it I think it was really well done. Its only 85 minutes long yet it packed more emotion than most 2.5+ hour movies I’ve seen.

[----t----]

The final scene gave me a chill right down the spine. Really agree with the criticism and praise in this review

[benmcfee]

I've been telling people that this film has exactly one jumpscare in it. And now that I've heard you phrase it the way you have, I'm confident saying this is an emotional jumpscare way more than it is a startling one. But it definitely sent an instant shiver up my spine when I saw it. This is one of the best ghost stories I've seen in a hot second.

[palacerevolution]

Good as always. It took 1:02 for the right hand to assume the position.
Edit - not sure why I'd get wtf replies. She always rests her head on the right hand. It's kinda her thing.

[CuJoProductions]

I'm seeing this a second time tomorrow after I get off work. I thought this film was great, honestly. The one knock I personally have is the marketing. It was marketed as a horror film, when in reality it felt more like a family drama with some paranormal elements thrown in. Marketing isn't the films fault but I still wish it was properly marketed. That said, I still found it very well-shot, well-written, and the performances were really good. I agree with you about the ending. It's probably why the film has stuck with me every since I left the theater

[GizmoBeach]

Really looking forward to seeing this. Been a follower of Soderbergh’s work since his fantastic debut back in ‘89 (even his more esoteric works like Bubble, The Girlfriend Experience, etc.) and he rarely disappoints me, thanks to working across several genres (not just dramas or black comedies, for example.)

[wanderingidle]

Just got out of the theater and decided to watch your review before anything else, and you basically nailed it.

If mainstream film criticism was still a thing, I really think you could be a trustworthy voice (yes, I know, YouTube is “mainstream” these days, but it’s not the same as my mom reading reviews in the newspaper or watching Siskel and Ebert).

In a world where everything is AI, having real, authentic voices sharing their honest thoughts is more important than ever, and your reviews always remind me of that, because you always have really damn good takes.

[Elephant]

Soderbergh is a topnotch director. So definitely worth seeing.

[joshberkin]

The Knick is probably the best and most impressive thing Soderbergh's done. Just finished it and its remarkable

[mikehc]

I think the reveal would have been better if the nexus of the presence wasn't outright explained via LL's dialogue - maybe instead just her guttural scream when she saw it, which would leave the audience debating whether the presence was who it was the whole time, necessitating multiple views of the movie to analyze...instead, a 2nd viewing is now mostly just for novelty purposes

[dancochrane]

His “Side Affects” is terrific, also King Of The Hill (not animated), Out Of Sight, The Limey, etc.

[SimonDavies-nx]

Thanks for review!! Saw this film last night - I thought it was superb! For me …. Along with The Order, this is my fave film of 2O25 so far!

[asan]

Thanks for your perspective, Hope to see it soon.

[dibbdee]

I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this film. Not everyone will feel this way but I really thought it was great. That ending tugged at my emotions.

[KENDRICKREVIEWZ]

For me, the untold lore of Tyler’s journey is the most interesting part of it

[GizmoBeach]

Finally got the opportunity to see this tonight. Been a fan of Soderbergh’s work since his debut, so the idea of him doing a disturbing drama was intriguing.

Had the same swooping, first-person perspective as Unsane (same sense of impending dread, too.) The daughter seemed more grownup than her Dad at times.

Liu’s harsh, subdued performance made the ending all the more jarring. Mulholland’s work as Ryan felt sinister even before his true motivations were revealed, like some reptilian TV preacher who suddenly needs your donations.

Appreciated that the director kept this one *short* in a time when overly long films are increasing. Shades of A Ghost Story, Personal Shopper. And for once, a spirit that’s not malevolent.

So I’ll assume (spoiler alert) we’re witnessing the past as much as the present although the film unfolds as if in the present. Hence the ending. But apparently ghosts exist before, during and after our human lives, separate from ourselves. Weird.

[Getguti]

Kinda had a paranormal activity/in a violent nature voyeurism vibe with pacing too I did enjoy it just a little underwhelming but worth watching

[anomalus]

Haven't seen this one yet but i love movies like David Lowery's 'a ghost story' and H.P Mendoza's 'i am a ghost' so this one looks intriguing

[swedishZmBi]

Hah you and Chris Stuckmann uploaded the review at the same time, just got this movie twice in my feed. I guess this is a sign I should see this one :P

[rorrschach]

A better ending would be if Rebekah screams "No my lovely perfect son died trying to save that no-good drug addict daughter of mine!". And then she looks at Chloe and screams "It should've been you!". And then Chris reports Rebekah to the police and she's arrested for white-collar crimes, and Chris and Chloe live happily ever after.