Presence

The scope of Presence remains small and intimate throughout, in a way that really makes you appreciate Soderbergh’s craft, especially his attention to detail.

Suffice to say that in the end, “Presence” is less of a horror movie or even a traditional ghost story than a drama about personal morality, responsibility, self-inquiry, and personal evolution, told from the perspective of someone who’s not alive anymore.

As the film progresses, the decoding moves beyond just camera positioning and movement. Soderbergh understands that the real value in following a strict set of rules is breaking them to startling effect.

Deeply playful while never falling for the more hoary tendencies of the genre – remarkably, Soderbergh seems to have invented a new way of filming a “jump scare” here – Presence keeps its audience close and tight, building to a finale that forces you to reconsider the entire experiment.

Everything we witness in this film is literally seen through the point of view of a spectral presence, but it’s the machinations of a deeply dysfunctional nuclear family that makes it all so intriguing.

The problem is that, while the film is conceptually solid, its story gets shakier as it goes along.

It’s hard to label a film this empty, but the word “worthless” comes to mind instantly.

Cinema não é apenas sobre o que se conta, mas também como se conta, de modo que uma história simples sobre uma casa mal assombrada se transforma num ambiente claustrofóbico e tenso. Por mais que algumas escolhas do roteiro tenham pesado a mão (aquela bagunça insana no quarto do irmão, o vilão didaticamente narrando seu plano ao final), no geral o filme consegue passar a personalidade de cada um, e acompanha uma jovem e suas dores de forma muito competente, cujo desfecho vai ligando os traumas. O grito da Lucy Liu está ecoando em mim até agora, me fez arrepiar, amarrando as pontas desse filmaço.

Shout out to Soderbergh for always trying and experimenting on new genres and styles. I wish this leaned more into the horror and haunted house direction then what we got, but its well made and efficient with its time and direction.

Steven Soderbergh returns with another intriguing project, bringing his signature lean narrative and immersive atmosphere. Presence arouses curiosity because of its different approach, putting the viewer in the perspective of an invisible entity that silently observes the daily life of a family in crisis. The premise alone stands out in the suspense genre, but for those who follow the director's career - and recently saw Code Black in Brazilian cinemas - the real attraction lies in the way Soderbergh conducts this story.David Koepp's script works efficiently to instigate the viewer, avoiding expository explanations and delivering small clues throughout the plot. In Presence, the entity that accompanies the events has no clear origin, nor is it given a definitive explanation of its existence or intentions. From the very first minutes, the audience is immersed in an environment full of mystery, where everything seems to follow an everyday rhythm, but there is something unsettling in the air. Gradually, pieces begin to fall into place, suggesting what might be going on. Soderbergh and Koepp's choice not to underestimate the audience's intelligence is commendable, but it also becomes a divisive factor. The film doesn't provide all the answers, and even at the end, some questions remain open, generating frustration in those looking for a more concrete conclusion. This aspect can make some viewers fall in love with the mystery, while others feel dissatisfied with the lack of direct **** of Presence's biggest problems lies in the way it was promoted. The promotional material suggests a supernatural horror, leading the audience to expect scares and a more intense atmosphere. However, what the movie really offers is psychological suspense with supernatural elements. The focus is not on the entity and its threatening presence, but on the family tensions and internal conflicts of the characters. For much of the plot, the entity functions more as a passive observer than as an element of horror. The disquiet comes not from frightening apparitions, but from the dynamics between the family members and the subtle revelations about their lives. For those expecting a conventional horror movie, this approach may seem anticlimactic, while for those willing to embark on Soderbergh's proposal, the experience can be quite thought-provoking.Another aspect that can generate mixed reactions is the ending. The big revelation about the identity of the entity is ambiguous and can be interpreted in different ways. Even if the viewer looks for explanations in analyses and theories on the internet, the feeling that something doesn't fit perfectly can persist. This type of narrative choice is not uncommon in projects that seek to stimulate reflection and provoke debate after the credits roll, but not all audiences are ready for this type of subjective **** the end, Presence is a movie that demands attention and patience. Soderbergh creates a thriller full of nuances, where details matter more than concrete answers. The film is not intended to be a frightening experience in the traditional sense, but rather an atmospheric study of grief, family relationships and mysteries that transcend human understanding. The result is a movie that will linger in the viewer's mind, whether for its originality and daring or for the frustration of an unconventional ending.

"Presence" (2024) unfortunately stakes a claim as one of the weakest horror films in recent memory. Despite its potential to deliver scares or intrigue, the movie consistently misses the mark, resulting in a largely unengaging and disappointing cinematic **** film struggles significantly with its core purpose: to instill fear. It lacks effective tension building, relying on predictable and uninspired attempts at horror that rarely, if ever, land. The narrative feels disjointed and poorly developed, failing to establish a compelling storyline or to provide any meaningful stakes for its characters. This results in a narrative that quickly becomes tiresome and difficult to invest **** performances within the film are largely forgettable, with the cast struggling to bring life or credibility to their underdeveloped roles. The dialogue often feels clichéd or unnatural, further hindering any potential for emotional connection with the characters.Visually and aurally, the film fails to create a captivating or frightening atmosphere. The cinematography is uninspired, and the sound design does little to enhance the sense of dread or suspense. Instead, the film often feels flat and uninventive.Overall, "Presence" is a horror film that falls short on almost every front. Its poor execution, lack of originality, and inability to engage the audience make it a forgettable and frustrating entry in the genre.

I wish I could have gotten “chills” at the ending of this movie, but I didnt. The twist is telegraphed and easily guessable before it happens. I was bored and ultimately disappointed.