Feeling Soderbergh’s Presence

Steven Soderbergh is known for the chances he takes in his films. From Sex, Lies, and Videotape, to The Limey (one of my favorites) to The Girlfriend Experience he shows that he is great at storytelling on a small budget. We have also seen what he can do on a bigger scale with movies like Traffic, The Ocean series, and The Magic Mike series. Presence has Soderbergh going back to small-scale storytelling by having the entire movie take place in one location. 

The premise for the movie is pretty straightforward. A family moves into a new home but a “Presence” is in their home. Soderbergh uses the first-person point of view to pull the audience into the movie. We are the presence that follows the family as they explore the house and look into each of the rooms. We have seen similar techniques like this recently with Nickel Boys but the difference here is that we never see the image of the presence. Due to this, there are a lot of amazing one-shots of the spirit going from room to room.   

Photo by Peter Andrews, Copyright The Spectral Spirit Company, Callina Liang (Chloe), Chris Sullivan (Chris), Eddy Maday (Tyler), Lucy Liu (Rebekah), and Julia Fox (Cece) in “Presence” directed by Steven Soderbergh

In watching the family we learn that the daughter, Chloe, (Callina Liang) has lost a friend due to a drug overdose. The family is moving into a new home and this spirit is felt by Chloe. Her parents Rebekah and Chris (Lucy Liu & Chris Sullivan) have an interesting relationship and through conversations we learn that Rebekah has a stressful job and an even more stressful situation going on. Their son Tyler (Eddy Maday) is a jock with questionable attributes that conflict with Chris’ parenting. 

Through the spirit’s eyes we see little moments of the everyday lives of this family. We catch moments of happiness, arguments between family members, and secrets hidden from them. It is fascinating to see the difference in the relationship between the mother and both of her children. While her connection with her son is interesting, the connection between the father and daughter feels more like lost souls that have connected to help each other get through each day. As we see how Chloe slowly overcomes her grief, her life starts to slowly change with the introduction of Tyler’s schoolmate, Ryan (West Mulholland). 

Ryan is the popular kid that Tyler feels lucky to have become friends with. At one moment he states how being friends with Ryan has changed how he is looked at in the school. There is something about Ryan that feels off and maybe that is what draws Chloe to him. This attraction to him also causes reactions from the spirit. Again, it is smart how Soderbergh uses the camera to show how the spirit is feeling in certain situations. It’s these little gestures that give you the sense that this spirit is more than just an observer. 

Callina Liang (Chloe) in “Presence” directed by Steven Soderbergh_Photo by Peter Andrews_Copyright The Spectral Spirit Company.

The presence of the spirit brings about questions of the afterlife and do spirits exist on one plane or multiple planes. A medium is brought in the house at one point and hints that the spirit does not know “when” it is. This is a brillant aspect that not only opens the door to the audience as to what to expect but where this type of genre can go. Having an open mind to this concept will not only give you a new way to see Presence but prepare you for the experience that you are going to go through.

Final Thoughts: In terms of horror films, Presence is not your typical horror movie it feels like a family drama at times. Steven Soderbergh’s atmosphere is chilling and suspenseful and stays with you after the final frame. Callina Liang and Chris Sullivan are the stand outs in this movie that will haunt you in ways you did not expect. 

Violence: There are a few moments in the movie where a violent action is being described that may be triggering. Using drugs to put characters to sleep is also portrayed in this movie. 

Kid-Friendly: The theme of loss and trying to find your space in a family is universal. The interactions between the teens can start conversations about relationships between siblings. 

It’s there before the family even moves in. It witnesses the family’s most intimate uncomfortable moments. It navigates the family’s new house at supernatural speed. It pays unusual attention to Chloe, the teenage girl who’s neither her mother’s nor her brother’s favorite. It wants — no, it needs — something. And as time goes on, the presence pieces together how it might accomplish its goal. An unusual, unnerving, and emotional thriller from writer David Koepp and director Steven Soderbergh.