Presence is a 2022 horror film about two female young business partners who are invited on a yachting trip with a potential investor. At night, Jennifer’s dreams begin to bleed into reality as the others realise that Jennifer may have unknowingly brought something on board.
Directed by Christian Schultz from a screenplay co-written with Peter Ambrosio. Produced by Donny Broussard, Thomas Johnston, Isaiah LaBorde, Murray Anthony Roth and John Paul Summers.
The ALLaBorde Films production stars Jenna Lyng Adams, Donny Broussard, Dave Davis, Alexandria DeBerry, Major Dodge, Thomas Johnston, Isaiah LaBorde, Octavio Pisano and Teri Wyble.
Reviews:
” …embraces the form of Giallo that is not as much about black-gloved killers. Instead, it’s the film in which a female protagonist doubts every single thing in her reality, as she’s an unreliable narrator to herself. Jennifer dreams of being stalked by a shadowy figure that never quite reveals itself…” B&S About Movies
“Adams succeeds in her haunting portrayal of a woman unmoored, and Davis maintains the ambiguous tone with a character prone to drastic shifts in temperament and motives. The breathtaking setting and soft cinematography by John Paul Summers capture the dream logic atmospherics, though Schultz never manages to inject any tension into the nightmare or horror sequences. Despite reliable performances and execution, the shallow and too nebulous storytelling ultimately sinks Presence.” 2 out of 5, Bloody Disgusting
“Ultimately too ambitious for its own good – a quality which is not without irony – Presence nevertheless showcases some interesting work […] Presence may feature a dark and stormy night or two too many, and cannot escape the weight of cliché simply because it is beautifully shot, but there is a lot here to admire and it’s certainly more interesting than its haunted boat premise might suggest.” 2.5 out of 5, Eye for Film
“The film struggles a bit in the beginning to find its gear before it finally settles in and takes the viewer on a compelling ride. The film makes a smooth transition in the third act to a supernatural noir and folds in some thrilling visual and special effects. The strong cast engages the viewer. This is Christian Schultz’s first film, an excellent dark journey on the seas…” Fears Magazine
“There’s always something else happening just outside of normal events, as well, adding to the uncanny proceedings, which are sometimes presented in a chilly manner. The performances of the three leads are impressive, keeping Presence an engaging watch even when it treads in familiar territory.” Horror Fuel
” …Presence tries so hard to be mysterious, it sometimes forgets it is a horror film. It definitely represents a case of getting too clever for its own good. It is also too downbeat to enjoy the hedonistic potential of its luxurious setting. Not recommended…” J.B. Spins
“Presence takes viewers on a tense voyage bristling with psychological terror, but the journey is much more satisfying than the destination. Standard as the script is though, Presence is well-executed on nearly every level, with engaging performances that keep the film afloat, puzzling narrative be damned.” 3/5 Killer Horror Critic
“Despite the film’s unsubtle character work, Presence is also a film that attempts to lean into being a more interpretive tale that seeks to offer more questions than answers. This mix of telling the viewer what to feel or think of certain events or characters in an explicit manner while also trying to be a more artful and subtle piece of storytelling leaves Presence feeling at odds with itself by the final stretch.” 2.5 out of 5, Loud and Clear
“If some of the unnecessary issues had been dumped, it would have left room for deeper exploration of what exactly is haunting Jen. The writers don’t seem to understand that general confusion does not equal tension. The result is that nothing much happens and there is no clarity on what exactly is going on.” 1.5 out of 5, Maddwolf
“There’s a fine line between making a movie just to be confusing and making one that will genuinely leave you rethinking everything you saw. This may be up your alley if you’re looking for some great performances and a genuinely atmospheric journey. I will say, if nothing else, the film has kept me asking questions; a sign of a well-made movie is one that will keep you wondering and thinking for a long after it’s over.” 2.5 out of 5 stars, Overly Honest Movie Reviews
“Presence is a regrettable chore. Christian Schultz wastes space with under 90 minutes to work with while poorly executing almost every new development. It’s not just about Jennifer’s ghost—marked jewelry, Jennifer’s vaguely witchy hallucinations and finale surprises all throw Presence off course. Schultz struggles to tell a coherent psychological slow-burner…” Paste
“With good acting, Presence is watchable but you will struggle to fully comprehend what has happened and what is going on all the way to end. Whilst its location is different, and the photography great on coastal and oceanic settings, the film doesn’t finish well and could have been made clearer.” Which Film
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