Review: ‘Presence’ shares a familiar story through a distinct lens

Family drama is a fact of life for most people. It’s not always earth-shattering, but most people experience a crisis at some point in their lives. These incidents are often kept behind closed doors as no one wants their dirty laundry aired for all to see. Instead, a select few are admitted entry to this sacred space in which the masks come off and people are permitted to be themselves, even if that seems weird or offensive. In Presence, a family’s conflicts are observed from the perspective of a spirit occupying their new home.

A family just moved into their new house, representing a fresh start for Chloe (Callina Liang), who recently suffered the devastating loss of a friend, and a chance for star athlete Tyler (Eddy Maday) to make his mark on the high school swim team. In spite of their age difference, both siblings find a connection with a popular boy at their new school named Ryan (West Mulholland). The mother, Rebekah (Lucy Liu), has two focuses in life: Tyler and work, and she insists she’s making risky decisions in the latter to benefit the former. In the meantime, Chris (Chris Sullivan) attempts to look after the mental well-being of their kids, concerned about how Chloe is managing her grief and afraid Tyler’s privilege is turning him into a bully. And all of this is seen through the eyes of a spectre that inhabits their new home.

While this is a ghost story to some degree, it’s primarily a family drama in which the conflicts and denial are slowly tearing them apart. Chloe took her friend’s death very hard and is finding it difficult to cope with the loss of her closest confidante. While Chris does what he can to support her as she works through her grief, Rebekah opts to leave her alone so she can work through it at her own pace. Similarly, she dismisses his concerns about Tyler’s cruel behaviour to his sister and classmates. As Chris points out, Rebekah’s solutions are generally the ones that require her to do the least — a harsh, but accurate statement.

While the familial conflicts are familiar, the perspective by which the audience is viewing them is unique. Rather than a traditional fly-on-the-wall view, the camera shifts in tandem with the ghost’s movements, creating a voyeuristic outlook. Sometimes it hovers very closely to the living, while other times it observes their interactions through a window. Chloe’s closet appears to be its safe place, though it can’t resist subtly interacting with her at times, leading her to believe her deceased friend may have returned to keep her company. Regardless of the spirit’s identity, it seems to care about the family and their well-being.

Unexpectedly, Ryan is the wildcard influencing the dynamics in the house. He initially comes over as Tyler’s friend and the pair hangout, discussing Tyler’s big impending prank on an innocent girl. However, Ryan takes an interest in Chloe and is seen spending time with her alone — a secret they agree to keep from Tyler. While his nice guy act is appealing to Chloe who is desperate for someone to understand her, viewers with more experience will be suspicious of his excess consideration and therapeutic tone. When Ryan begins behaving badly, audiences identify with the spirit’s helplessness as they are equally powerless to intervene.

Director Steven Soderbergh produces a tight 85-minute family drama that evolves into a thriller as a threat to the family’s safety bubbles to the surface. The camerawork is exceptional, creating the essence of an invisible character with emotions the audience experience via the camera’s movement and framing, resulting in a distinct point of view.

Director: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan and Callina Liang