Presence
Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Written by David Koepp
Starring Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, Callina Liang, Eddy Maday, and Julia Fox
Runtime 1 hour and 25 minutes
MPAA Rating R
In theaters January 24

by Rosalie Kicks, Old Sport and Editor in Chief

I believe in ghosts.

My belief in phantasmagorical apparitions is backed by zero physical evidence but I truly can’t fathom that our story ends with the land of the living. Despite my lack of having a specter sighting, I have felt things. In my experience on this mortal coil I have found particular locations are undoubtedly haunted, especially those in which something tragic occurred or, in my case, hold strong personal memories. Certain rooms I have entered have given me the vibe that I may not be the only presence taking up space.

“You have a presence here…”

In Steven Soderbergh’s latest picture, he chooses to tell the tale from the afterlife’s perspective. When a family moves into their new suburban home, they soon discover that they may not be alone. What makes this motion picture differ from preceding ghost stories is that it is shot entirely from the point of view of the poltergeist. Throughout the run time the camera gracefully dances around the subjects to provide the viewer with an opportunity to float along in the spook’s shoes. This filmmaking choice is quite interesting as it presents the chance to focus more on the atmosphere that is happening on screen rather than getting caught up in the specifics of the plot details. Tidbits of information reveal themself along the way that are enough to piece the puzzle of the narrative together, but there is quite a bit left on the table for interpretation by the audience.

Of Soderbergh’s fifty one helmed projects, I readily admit to only seeing a handful. He is not typically a guy that I line up for on opening weekend. In fact, the last flick of his that I recall witnessing on the silver screen was Logan Lucky (2017). And, as Shania Twain once said, “that don’t impress much…”. Logan Lucky was a perfectly fine and serviceable movie that I would have been more than satisfied watching from the comfort of my sofa. However, with his latest endeavor, Presence, I feel strongly that one should brave the elements (if you’re on the east coast it is damn cold my friends) and watch it in the cinema. The large screen not only showcases the cinematography, but manages to effectively make the audience an active participant in the yarn. In spite of the central character not being seen or heard, they still managed to create an emotional attachment to them. I felt compelled to know more about them and the reason for their existence in this home due to being made part of the story itself.

Besides the unique technical aspects that are on display, the other strong feats of Presence are the swift runtime and the tremendous performances. Sure, it is easy to wear out your welcome in eighty-five minutes but that is not the case here. Time is not wasted, the pacing is masterful and given that the entirely of the plot is set in one location, I left impressed with how the space was utilized. In terms of acting, Lucy Liu gives a convincing take on a demanding spouse that manages to grate every last nerve while Callina Liang and Eddy Maday both were quite impressive given their short resumes. However, it was Chris Sullivan that truly left an impression on me. His portrayal as the father was quite wonderful and moving.

I recommend not judging this movie by the trailer, for the contents are not as they appear. Presence is not your typical ghost story and it may just even manage to make a believer out of you.

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