As you know, I love reviewing books—but I’m also a huge fan of spooky, thought-provoking movies. So today, I’m diving into my very first movie review here on the blog: Presence, currently streaming on Hulu.
Let’s get into it.
🎥 First Impressions
To be honest, I wasn’t immediately a fan of the cinematography. The constant movement of the camera—while creative—felt a little dizzying. But I quickly realized that this wasn’t a flaw, it was intentional. The entire film is shown from the perspective of the unseen “presence” in the house. A bold choice that both intrigued and disoriented me.
🏠 The Story
A family moves into a new home that is quietly occupied by a supernatural force. However, unlike traditional horror narratives, this presence isn’t outwardly malevolent. It’s more of an observer—an entity that’s deeply connected to the people in the house.
What stood out to me most was the way the film portrayed each family member dealing with personal struggles. There’s emotional weight here—grief, anxiety, disconnection—and yet, underneath it all, a subtle thread of love and connection binds them.
😱 The Twist
What surprised me is how the film flipped the haunted house genre on its head. We’re conditioned to believe that any presence is evil or malicious. But Presence challenges that assumption in a quiet but meaningful way. The ending? Let’s just say it leaves room for interpretation. I can already imagine a dozen Reddit threads theorizing about what really happened—and who, or what, the presence truly was.
⭐ My Thoughts
Did I love the movie? Not really. It wasn’t a favorite, but I genuinely appreciated its artistic risks and the twist on the typical paranormal narrative. The execution felt a little slow at times, and the camerawork took some adjusting, but the concept? Clever and refreshing.
Would I recommend it? If you already have Hulu, go ahead and watch it. It’s worth your time if you like psychological horror or want something different than your average jump-scare movie. But if you have to pay to rent it, I’d suggest holding off unless you’re a die-hard horror fan.