Exploring the Discrepancy Between Presence’s 88% Critics Score and Low Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes

Warning: This article contains major SPOILERS for Presence.

Exploring the Layers of Presence: A Family Drama with Supernatural Elements

Steven Soderbergh’s latest cinematic offering, Presence, centers on the Payne family, who soon find themselves grappling with the notion that their new home may be haunted. The film intricately weaves the narrative of a daughter mourning her friend’s death, while her family, particularly her mother and brother, seem largely disconnected from her emotional turmoil. In stark contrast, her father takes the initiative to engage with his daughter, striving to comprehend her grief.

The cast features well-known actors Lucy Liu and Chris Sullivan, portraying parents caught in their struggle to communicate with their children amidst an increasingly evident supernatural presence.Presence is notable for its unique narrative perspective, as the entire story unfolds from the ghost’s point of view. This unconventional filming technique adds a complex and invasive quality to the overall experience, allowing the ghost to observe the family’s daily lives from windows, closets, and shadows, occasionally intervening to assist the grieving daughter.

Divided Reception: A Slow-Burn Reflection on Grief

Despite the film’s solid performances and intriguing cinematography, audience reactions have been mixed. Critics have acknowledged Presence as a well-executed film, but many viewers expected a more traditional horror experience. Instead, the pacing is deliberate, often shrouding character backstories in ambiguity and cultivating an atmosphere of suspense rather than delivering typical horror beats. While there are no overwhelming jump scares, the film culminates in a closing revelation that is haunting in its own right.

Expectations vs. Reality: A Family Drama Rather than a Horror Film

Many viewers entered the theater with the anticipation of a horror story, only to discover that Presence leans more towards a poignant family drama. The ghost frequently witnesses and eavesdrops on interactions among family members, shifting the central focus to their everyday struggles. The parents, portrayed by Liu and Sullivan, each contend with their challenges, including marital strife and potential involvement in illegal activities. Meanwhile, the teenage children are depicted leading their own lives, leaving the ghost to feel more like an onlooker than an active participant in the family’s emotional landscape.

Audience Discontent Rooted in Marketing Missteps

Misleading Trailers: A Horror Misrepresentation

The disparity between the critic score of 88% and the audience score of 56% on Rotten Tomatoes raises questions about proper audience expectations. The misalignment can largely be attributed to the marketing approach employed by the distributor, Neon. Their trailers focus heavily on the haunted house premise—conveying an unsettling and threatening ghost poised to endanger the family, rather than protect them. This portrayal may have led audiences to anticipate a terrifying horror flick.

Watch the trailer

While reviews reflect disappointment regarding the film’s lack of conventional horror elements, Presence remains a thoughtful exploration of love and grief, all told through the lens of a renowned filmmaker. Despite low audience ratings, it delivers an engaging narrative filled with unexpected twists, making it well worth a watch for those open to a non-traditional take on supernatural themes.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes

Source & Images