In just under two weeks,Steven Soderberghwill flip the haunted house genre on its head with his new filmPresence. After a year of waiting following its premiere at the 2024Sundance Film Festival, the Oscar winner’s latest is set to possess the big screen starting on January 24, and Neon has decided to release one more trailer teasing the paranormal happenings to come. Emmy nomineeLucy Liuleads the film, but the real star is the titular presence,a mysterious entity living in a suburban homeunseen by the new family that moves in. However, the family can definitely feel whatever it is, and, as they try to learn more about it, they realize this being may be beyond human.
The latest footage opens with the presence roaming through the home while its new houseguests go about their lives in the background. They bring in an expert to understandthe sinking feeling of another entity inhabiting their home, learning that whatever is living with them is merely curious. It’s still hard to fully comprehend or connect with the feelings and actions of a presence that can’t be heard or seen, which makes it all the creepier as it watches the family sleep and listens to their arguments through the walls. The toll of living such a life weighs heavily on Rebecca (Liu) and her loved ones, and the entity responds to their unraveling in kind by lashing out with more brazen hauntings that only worsen the situation. By the time the trailer ends,the family comes together at the table to acknowledge the mutual suffering and plan a solution to their horror story.
Presencecontinues a recent trend of inventive horror movies playing around with perspective, followingChris Nash’s acclaimedIn a Violent Natureshot from the perspective of a slasher villain. Like that film, which wowed viewers at Sundance’s Midnight section last year, Soderbergh’s film drew high marks from critics who saw it on the festival circuit. The supernatural thriller, which marked another collaboration between the director andhisKimiwriterDavid Koepp, boasts a strong 88%Rotten Tomatoesscore, with Collider’sRoss Bonaimeamong those praising itin his 7/10 review. In addition to Liu, the cast featuresJulia Fox,Chris Sullivan, andCallina Liang.
‘Presence’ Isn’t Soderbergh’s Only Film Coming Out in 2025
After his haunted house feature, Soderbergh has yet another film planned within the first quarter of 2025 -Black Bag. Debutingin theaters on March 14, the hotly-anticipated romantic spy thriller will feature a star-studded cast led byCate BlanchettandMichael Fassbenderas renowned agents and a married couple whowill have to weigh their future together when one of them is suspected of betraying the country. Koepp once again takes up writing duties, while the supporting cast boasts the talents ofRegé-Jean Page,Marisa Abelsa,Naomie Harris,Tom Burke, andPierce Brosnan.
In the meantime,Presenceis set to hit theaters on Friday, January 24. Check out the new trailer above and stay tuned here at Collider for more on Soderbergh’s latest films.
Showcases a suburban house inhabited by an mysterious entity.
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