Warning: This post contains spoilers for Presence.
Presence might not be your typical haunted house film, but it’s sure to unsettle you.
Directed by Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s Eleven, Traffic) and written by David Koepp (Jurassic Park, Panic Room), this chilling film is shot entirely from the perspective of a ghost within a suburban home (using a handheld camera). Now in theaters, Presence begins with the spectral entity observing a family—Rebekah (Lucy Liu), Chris (Chris Sullivan), Tyler (Eddy Maday), and Chloe (Callina Liang)—as they move in.
Initially, only Chloe perceives the presence, seemingly drawn to her, suggesting it might be the ghost of her deceased best friend, Nadia. As the spirit observes the family’s increasingly strained relationships, we see Chloe’s grief and talk of a ghost met with her brother’s mockery, her mother’s disdain (who favors Tyler), and her father’s empathy; he’s the first to take her seriously.
Chris eventually enlists Lisa (Natalie Woolams-Torres), the sister of their real estate agent (Julia Fox), to investigate. Looking directly at the camera, Lisa suggests the presence is confused and unsure of its purpose. Importantly, she notes time’s altered nature in the spirit world, hinting the ghost’s presence relates to a past or future event.
Meanwhile, Chloe secretly begins a relationship with Tyler’s friend Ryan (West Mulholland), a sinister athlete who offers her emotional support. We witness Ryan attempt to drug Chloe while she showers, likely intending assault, but the spirit intervenes. Unaware of Ryan’s true nature, Chloe agrees to a plan to spend time alone with him while her parents are away, involving getting Tyler drunk and sedated.
What is the twist in Presence?
On the planned night, Ryan sedates Tyler and goes to Chloe’s room. After she decides against intimacy, he drugs her drink, and she passes out. The situation escalates dramatically.
Ryan suffocates Chloe, then confesses to killing Nadia and another girl, using the same method. However, the desperate spirit races downstairs and awakens Tyler.
Awakening, Tyler realizes Chloe’s danger and rushes upstairs. He fights Ryan, causing them both to fall from the window to their deaths, saving Chloe. The film concludes with Rebekah, Chris, and Chloe preparing to leave. As Rebekah looks in the mirror, she sees Tyler and screams.
This suggests Tyler was the presence, trapped in a time loop; he had to die to save his sister, yet his death was necessary for the events to unfold. Ultimately, the film delivers a powerful and emotional climax; overthinking the complexities might detract from its impact.
