At the dawn of 2024, JoBlo's esteemed critic Chris Bumbray was granted an exclusive preview of the Sundance Film Festival's debut of "Presence," a haunting ghost narrative helmed by director Steven Soderbergh and penned by screenwriter David Koepp. In his thoughtful 7/10 review, which you can delve into HERE, Bumbray characterized the film as "a supernatural saga that, while light on fright, packs a profound emotional punch." As we usher in the year 2025, a broader audience will finally embrace the cinematic experience, thanks to Neon's strategic plan to release "Presence" in limited theaters on January 24th. With this date looming on the horizon, the film's climactic trailer has made its online debut, waiting to be explored in the embed above.
The narrative of "Presence" unfurls when a family, relocating to a serene suburban abode, finds themselves enveloped by an eerie conviction—they are not the sole inhabitants. An otherworldly entity has silently infiltrated their home, fixating an unsettling interest on their daughter. The ensemble cast includes Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, Callina Liang, Julia Fox, Eddy Maday, and West Mulholland, delivering performances that resonate deeply.
While the financial figure Neon shelled out for "Presence" remains undisclosed, it is publicly known that they emerged victorious from a fiercely contested bidding war, involving nearly a dozen eager distributors. According to Deadline, the film was meticulously crafted within a solitary locale, meticulously cultivating the eerie ambiance envisioned by its filmmakers. Bumbray's review illuminated that Soderbergh's camera lens captures scenes from the vantage point of the enigmatic presence (eschewing the term 'ghost'), presenting a visually intriguing spectacle. The family is observed from a detached yet intimate perspective, gradually revealing that the presence, neither inherently menacing nor consciously aware of its own existence within their home, harbors a complex essence.
Produced by Julie M. Anderson and Ken Meyer, with Koepp serving as an executive producer alongside Corey Bayes, "Presence" also boasts H.H. Cooper as a co-producer, alongside associate producers Gus Gustafson, Samara Levenstein, and Claire Kenny.
What are your thoughts on the final trailer for "Presence"? Will you venture to the cinema to witness this mesmerizing tale unfold on the big screen?
