Steven Soderbergh Charmingly Flips the Traditional Ghost Story in Presence

Steven Soderbergh has consistently demonstrated himself as one of the most innovative creatives in American cinema. ​​His 2018 horror film Unsane, famously filmed using an iPhone 7 Plus, elevated the woman-in-peril subgenre with technique and style. His latest, Presence, takes on a similar experimental approach to a well-known horror story. Penned by David Koepp, who previously wrote Soderbergh’s tight and thrilling chamber piece Kimi, Presence is a darkly comic and slow-burn genre film that presents as both a haunted house tale and an exploration of a strained family dynamic—shown entirely through the perspective of its ghost. 

Soderbergh and Koepp play with haunted house tropes, such as flickering lights, objects randomly moving around, and hiring a psychic to communicate with the spirit. However, they subvert their simplistic premise to deliver surprising twists. Soderbergh often serves as the cinematographer and editor on his projects, using the pseudonyms Mary Ann Bernard and Peter Andrews as tributes to his mother and father. In Presence, he continues this tradition. The opening introduces the film’s single-location, with Soderbergh adeptly capturing the sensation of the trapped ghost navigating the old suburban home—curiously peering around corners and windows, speeding up and down stairs, or hovering around the new residents. 

The new homeowners in question are the Payne family, with Julia Fox making a memorable appearance as the real estate agent who seals the deal. It’s led by the emotionally distant mother Rebecca (Lucy Liu) and compassionate, concerned father Chris (Chris Sullivan), who strives to keep his family together. Their son Tyler (Eddy Maday) appears to be inheriting traits from his mother, while their daughter Chloe (Callina Liang) mourns her best friend Nadia, who recently died from a sudden drug overdose. Chloe begins to sense something strange happening in the new house, and wonders if it’s Nadia reaching out from beyond, even if the rest of her family doesn’t believe her.

Each one-take shot, which usually encompasses an entire scene, propels us into something new, enabling us to piece together the family’s dynamics and the events that transpired in between. While intended as glimpses into the Payne family’s most intimate moments, the dialogue occasionally dips into moments of flat melodrama. Nevertheless, the chemistry among Liu, Maday, Sullivan and Liang as their complex characters is engaging as they exchange cutting jokes or insults. Particularly noteworthy is Liang, a newcomer who brings forth a quiet strength and independence in her performance.

As the ghost increasingly makes itself known, Presence’s narrative unfolds. In a chilling and claustrophobic scene within Chloe’s bedroom closet, we witness her direct gaze into the camera, a haunting look in her eyes as though she can see what is there. Soderbergh’s unique approach to limited perspective involves treating the camera as its own character with personality, especially evident when the ghost begins to exhibit fear and anger. The unpredictability of the spirit remains captivating and heightens the film’s sense of unease. Another highlight is Zack Ryan’s vintage-inspired piano horror score, which further develops the unsettling atmosphere. 

Presence’s final act delivers a shocking blow, suffused with an intense, palpable dread that lingers long after the credits roll. Koepp and Soderbergh suggest that there are far more dangers in everyday life than in the supernatural. With Koepp’s twisted script and Soderbergh’s sharp direction, Presence is a satisfying blend: A classic ghost story with arthouse flair.

Director: Steven Soderbergh
Writer: David Koepp
Starring: Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, Callina Liang, Julia Fox, Eddy Maday, West Mulholland
Release Date: January 19, 2024 (Sundance)

Jamie Arena is a filmworker, critic, journalist, and horror enthusiast based in the sunshine state of Florida. You can find her on Twitter at @jamiekarena to discover her current obsessions.