Presence Review

Presence is a horror film directed by Steven Soderbergh. Imagine Paranormal Activity but told from the ghost perspective instead. Great concept, right? I do love how they turn the found footage idea on it's head by seeing through the eyes of what would typically scare us. But I did have my gripes with it and even though it's nothing major I have to talk about the pros and cons.

Starring with the positives this film is beautifully shot and the performances are great as well. For the most part of the film they're aren't too many cutaways which I really loved as well. Most of this movie felt like an entire one shot and there wasn’t a second I was bored throughout this at all.

Now let's get into some of my gripes with the film which I have plenty of. Yes, the concept of us following the ghost through their POV spying on the family is really cool but it takes a while to know the family. The pacing is kind of slow for almost a 90 minute film which is rather disappointing to see. Their are only two likable characters in this film: the dad and the daughter. Not only that but we are immediately thrown into the drama and the chaos of the family as soon as they move into the house with no build up at all.

It was hard for me to get attached to the family because of not only the pacing but also because we hardly get to know what their life is like when they aren’t at home. I understand keeping this movie set in the house but we could have at least gotten more background on their lived before moving into the house and the kids adjusting to having to make new friends. The family drama felt like a disorganized puzzle that the audience had to put together. While I enjoyed the ending of the film, the shots and the concept, the pacing is bad and the family isn't fleshed out enough for me to care about them.

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️½/5