Steven Soderbergh Resurrects the Ghost Story

With ‘Presence,’ Steven Soderbergh makes a ghost story from the phantom’s point of view
"I always operate the camera, but this was next level," the director says. "I’m really in there with the actors."
Steven Soderbergh's 'Presence' is a ghost story where the audience is the ghost
The entire film is shot entirely from the ghost's point of view, the audience haunting a family that has recently moved into a New Jersey home, not realizing that something was already living there. Critic Sean Burns says it's a great gimmick,
Do you feel a ‘Presence’? Inside Steven Soderbergh’s reverse ghost story, filmed in N.J.
Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh takes us there in “ Presence ,” a ghost story filmed entirely in a New Jersey home. Unlike most films in the genre, the movie, in theaters Friday (Jan. 24), is told solely from the point of view of the ghost.
Review: Steven Soderbergh's technically impressive ghost story 'Presence' is let down by its story
“Presence” is a beautifully executed vision of a rather mediocre script. What makes it interesting is the POV “gimmick,” which Soderbergh demonstrates as a legitimate mode of cinematic storytelling. His camera movements take on such a human quality that we become emotionally connected to it as another character in the story.
The Ghost’s-Eye View of Steven Soderbergh’s “Presence”
Doing his own camerawork, the director gleefully enriches the haunted-house genre with a simple but ingenious device.
Director Steven Soderbergh Feels a ‘Presence’
I need to be scared of something,” Steven Soderbergh tells me as we sit down to discuss his new film, Presence. “Every movie that I have worked on, there’s gotta be a pocket of fear about some aspect of it.
With Presence, Steven Soderbergh Resurrects the Ghost Story: Review
The intimate supernatural drama stars Lucy Liu and Chris Sullivan as homeowners with an unexpected houseguest. With Presence, Steven Soderbergh Resurrects the Ghost Story: Review
How to Watch ‘Presence:’ Is Steven Soderbergh’s Haunted House Movie Streaming?
Steven Soderbergh's "Presence" is an unconventional haunted house story told from the perspective of the ghost -- and we've got the details.
‘Presence’ Review: Steven Soderbergh Rethinks the Ghost Story
The tingly thriller “Presence” starts with a knockout premise: What if you told a ghost story from the perspective of the ghost? Each scene in Steven Soderbergh’s impeccably crafted film is a single take that glides silently from room to room observing what happens in an ordinary suburban house.
Review: Soderbergh brings unique cinematic ‘Presence’ to this ghost story
What makes “Presence” interesting is its point-of-view “gimmick.” It’s just the story that’s being told that’s somewhat hacky.
Steven Soderbergh cracks another genre with the clever ghost story Presence
Steven Soderbergh often applies his brainy, process-based approach to new genres; with Presence, he tries his hand at ghost-story horror.
Critics Have Seen Presence, And They’re Here For Steven Soderbergh’s ‘Chillingly Effective’ Supernatural Thriller
Lindsey Bahr of the AP gives the movie 3 out of 4 stars, saying as director and cinematographer, Steven Soderbergh really IS the ghost, and he weaves quite the “chillingly effective tale” that packs ...
Movie Review: Steven Soderbergh’s eerie haunted house drama ‘Presence’ packs a punch
The camera is the ghost in Steven Soderbergh’s chillingly effective, experiential haunted house drama “Presence.” ...
‘Presence’ Review: Paranormal Friend or Foe?
Steven Soderbergh’s new chiller takes place in one of the most troubled of all movie locations: an outwardly normal family ...
'Presence' Sabotages Its Own Gimmick
If this is the best Steven Soderbergh's got for a smaller canvas, then I’d like to see him get back to making major-studio ...
Steven Soderbergh: 'I'm the cockroach of this industry. I can survive any version of it'
NEW YORK (AP) — Steven Soderbergh isn’t just the director and cinematographer of his latest film. He’s also, in a way, its ...
Lucy Liu has spirited take on ‘Presence’
A ghost story seen through the ghost’s perspective? That’s the unusual if compelling premise for Steven Soderbergh’s ...
Immersive movie 'Presence' sees dysfunctional family from a ghost's POV
The story of the parents and children, as depicted by director Steven Soderbergh, is so interesting, it would work well even ...
Why Steven Soderbergh's Appreciation for Steven Spielberg Has Only Grown Stronger
Soderbergh talks to IndieWire about "Jaws," his 15-year project to write a book about directing, and working to get his ...