PRESENCE (2024) – A Haunting Perspective: Soderbergh’s PRESENCE Redefines the Ghost Story Genre

Director Steven Soderbergh, known for his acclaimed works such as the Ocean’s Eleven series, Magic Mike, Erin Brockovich, and Kafka, has shifted his focus towards more idiosyncratic arthouse films in recent years. Soderbergh, who won an Academy Award for Best Director in 2000 for Traffic, ventures into new territory with his latest project, PRESENCE. This film is a haunted house ghost story with a unique twist—it is narrated entirely from the perspective of the supernatural entity inhabiting the house.

As with most haunted house narratives, PRESENCE centers around a family with two teenage children who move into a new suburban home. Predictably, eerie occurrences soon follow, manifesting subtly at first. The entity’s connection is strongest with the teenage daughter, Chloe, who is grappling with depression following the death of a close friend. The family dynamics mirror typical horror film tropes, with brewing tensions between the parents and the teenagers’ reclusiveness.

What sets PRESENCE apart is its innovative storytelling approach. By narrating from the perspective of the supernatural presence, the film offers a voyeuristic and intimate glimpse into the family’s life. The camera glides from room to room, capturing snippets of conversations and behaviors unnoticed by the human characters. Although the entity does not speak, it emerges as a distinct character, eliciting empathy from the audience.

With a concise runtime of under ninety minutes, PRESENCE effectively utilizes its time to build suspense and deliver a twist that leaves a lasting impact. The revelation in the final act is so profound that it prompts viewers to reevaluate the film with newfound insight. PRESENCE is not your typical haunted house horror movie. It avoids gratuitous violence, excessive vulgarity, and jump scares, instead opting for a quiet, slow-paced narrative that explores themes of grief and impermanence. Soderbergh’s film is a straightforward yet emotionally resonant tale that stands out in the crowded haunted house genre.