ethantoy

Seeing the trailers and previews for this film had piqued my interest enough because the concept felt eerily similar to the film, In a Violent Nature, which also had a perspective of the "antagonist" and how their story folded for them and I happened to enjoy that movie altogether.

With Presence, much of that is here too, with a few changes that are more unique than a standardized horror film. Firstly, I'd go as far as to argue that this really isn't a horror film at most, and rather a drama that's got horror elements soaked into its script. There's moments where the film really hits that point that you're there with this ghost, but it's all-in-all a drawn out story that revolves around one family entirely.

The movie goes from a very different place very quickly and it's really sudden and it can feel like you might have just been jibbed from what you're expecting or anticipating. I wouldn't say this is a bad film by any means, but the marketing (if there really was any) did not do this film justice and probably hampered it far more badly than if it had just been shown in a different light altogether. I don't think Presence is a bad film, but it isn't the film a horror-enthusiast would want, or maybe it is, if you're into a more heartfelt film.

I would recommend it if you're under the expectations that it isn't trying to scare you, but rather trying to just tell a story through a medium that isn't explored often. It feels reminiscent of A Ghost Story and that's not entirely a bad thing.

Just got back from the film. Here's my quick breakdown of the positives and negatives without spoilers.

Pros: Cage is great for the time he's in the film. Great cinematography if you're into visual flare and style. Some decent elements of horror that are very interesting.

Cons: Hardly any visceral horror or gore whatsoever, feels incredibly "safe" for a film like this. Story is really competent and well-written until the very last act of the film and feels like a cliched trope we've seen in too many horror films in the last few years.

Overall, you'll have a good time. It's got moments of pure horror that can be easily expanded on or brought to light more, but the story itself takes a massive nosedive that just felt really jarring and too on the nose as if the audience wasn't intelligent enough to figure it out themselves. Just felt too safe to me to be considered the horror film of the year. There are significantly far better horror films that easily can make Longlegs run for its money and honestly the hype glorified this too much to be enjoyed as it set out to be. It's got great moments that show the potential of what it could have been, but it just detoured into something that everyone has seen already.