Presence

It's definitely not for everyone... This movie was so interesting and gripping... I was hooked and got along with the ghost...

Damn... The ending makes you think about what that lady said "Time, it doesn't work the same way for it. Past, present can be happening at the same time, so it doesn't Even know when it is."

This film's ending reminds me of that Australian film "Lake Mungo". It's really interesting when you think about it and scary when you actually deep think about it... I remember I couldn't sleep for days, because of this film... And now probably again... 😅

The whole movie is based around the gimmick of always watching everything from the point of view of the titular "presence", so in a way it's kind of a twist on the found footage genre, and this alone, coupled with nice cinematography and very well done special effects, makes it interesting and a worthy watch in my opinion.

Sadly the narrative isn't as compelling as the technical aspect of the movie, and especially [spoiler]the villain speech of the blond guy at the end is moustache twirling levels of triteness[/spoiler], but there is some heart in there so personally I enjoyed it and even shed a little tear in the end, but I understand those who found it boring.

Try it!

Presence (2025) - ❤x8

This is a very different kind of Horror movie. As I started watching I was sure I was not going to like it . . . but I was wrong - very wrong.

The Cinematography of this movie is unique and that alone makes it worth watching.
The method of telling the story is possibly unique, definitely interesting and different. This also makes it worth watching.
And lastly, the "presence" in the house I believe is also something we've never seen before.
All in all - this is a must watch and a should watch for anyone who likes Horror, Thrillers, or anything new and different.

How I rate:
1-3 ❤ = seriously! don't waste your time
4-6 ❤ = you may or may not enjoy this
7-8 ❤ = I expect you will like this too
9-10 ❤ = movies and TV shows I really love!

Steven Soderbergh once again proves he can reinvent a genre with just a few well-placed elements. Presence is not a conventional horror film; it’s more of an exercise in unsettling observation, with the camera adopting the point of view of a ghost silently roaming the house—patient, quiet, and oddly curious. From the very first shot, it’s clear that the tension won’t come from cheap jump scares, but from the feeling of invading a private space.

What’s most fascinating is how the story, without big twists, gradually fills with a growing unease. The measured camera movements and clever use of off-screen space make every room feel like it’s hiding something. As intruders, viewers begin to sense that what’s haunting the house isn’t just supernatural—it’s also made up of grudges, secrets, and unspoken guilt lingering in the air.

Soderbergh crafts a tale that takes its time, which may frustrate those expecting a scare-fest. Yet this very patience gives weight to the most intense moments, when a glance or a prolonged silence says more than any line of dialogue. It’s a kind of horror that slips in quietly but lingers afterward.

The performances are solid, though some characters could have used more depth so their fates hit harder. Still, the cast captures the simmering tension that runs through the story, keeping the audience engaged even during the quieter passages.

Not everything works perfectly. A couple of scenes reach too far for symbolism and slightly upset the balance, and while the climax is unsettling, it may leave some wishing for a sharper final blow. Yet the film’s hypnotic pull more than makes up for it.

Presence ultimately offers a different take on ghost stories—less about scares, more about atmosphere and the way the unseen can disrupt the everyday. Soderbergh delivers a film that doesn’t so much frighten as it lingers in your mind like a silent presence you’re not sure you want to leave.

>"Have you ever noticed that your advice always corresponds exactly with us not having to do anything at all?"

The story is effective, if a little on the nose. I teared up a few times. Great acting, especially impressive with all those long takes.

The first person POV is dizzying, but it works here to convey an ongoing off-kilter sense of the Presence. Fascinating how I was able to forget about it half the time and just watched the characters, until I would be reminded about the Presence again.

More drama than horror. Don't go expecting to be scared or even a little "jumped". I'm more worried people are not going to like it because they were expecting something more. In my opinion I liked the story and the family conflict that made you feel like an outsider looking in in this POV ghost story. Definitely something to appreciate.

A very standard haunted house movie presented in an experimental way

Movie is misunderstood, its isn't really meant to be horror imo, its a family drama. The twist in the end was really unexpected but overall the concept was unique, the acting was lacking abit.

Beautiful set designs and camera work, but sometimes incredibly stilted dialogue. It feels like a direct adaption from a short story, which is done beautiful in some instances but lacking in others, where it doesn't really translate well from written to visual.

I liked that we were put in the middle of the family drama, I and don't think that there were too many plot holes, but rather just enough of context into familial affairs to give an idea of who the characters were. All of the characters felt believable except for the villain, both the character himself and how he is introduced.

The ending leaves much to be desired and is very abrupt, but it goes along well with the rest of the movie.

The medium was unnecessary and didn't fit with the rest of the story. It was a cheap way to give clues to the audience instead of finding a subtler alternative to convey the same message.

And I get that all of the doors were always open for the visual effect, but come on, what teenagers have their doors wide open all the time?

'Presence' holds uniqueness in regards to how it is filmed, which is very effective, though its story does end up being quite straightforward - and more teen drama-ry than anticipated. All the same, I did enjoy myself whilst watching it unfold across 85mins, pleasantly.

The cast are also a strong point of this film. Lucy Liu and Eddy Maday are decent, though Callina Liang and Chris Sullivan are the definitive standouts - both t'rific. West Mulholland is solid in his role, even if I'm not absolutely sold on everything that goes on with his character.

Interesting that this closely follows the release (at least in the UK) of Robert Zemeckis' 'Here' - two films shot in original perspectives. This Steven Soderbergh picture isn't quite as high class as that one, but all in all is worthy of a watch; especially with such a short run time.

Thanks to the aforementioned, I was able to watch this at the cinema shortly after finishing Mel Gibson's 'Flight Risk'. You could say both do have a feel of being made-for-streaming (this feels Welcome to the Blumhouse-esque), but I will never moan about the ability to watch movies on the big screen.