Soderbergh’s ‘Presence’ haunts differently, shifting perspective from living occupants to revenants. This innovative approach elevates a familiar premise into something that pushes you into participating. Long, unbroken takes and occasionally stilted performances, (notably Taylor’s), initially leaves a stage-play taste. However, the patriarch and his empathetic cracking in private paints a poignant, rich family portrait that pulls the plot together. Youthful rebellion & marital failing…as the story unfolds, the slow-burn tension snuck up on me, making the darker moments in the third act truly unnerving, feeling like a bystander. While choppy at first, the film avoids novelty, delivering a tastefully refreshing experience with a touch of dark nostalgic WB energy.
