Presence (2025)

The film begins with the wide hallways and design of a new house in the suburbs, but it becomes clear that this space offers only the mental reflections of a family who has experienced trauma. Steven Soderbergh's use of handheld camera techniques and special lenses aims to heighten tension by making the audience feel under a constantly unsettling gaze, though this approach seems excessive at times. The plot progresses not with unexpected developments but shifts toward a coming-of-age drama tone, with character relationships developing in a rather straightforward manner. While the performances of Callina Liang and Chris Sullivan are noteworthy, the character of West Mulholland does not come across as entirely convincing. Although the film's short runtime makes it worth watching, it falls short of offering an innovative approach in terms of narrative structure and thematic development.