'Presence' Blu-Ray Review - Steven Soderbergh Brings Pathos To Haunted House Tale
A family becomes convinced they are not alone after moving into their new home in the suburbs.
For in-depth thoughts on Presence, please see my colleague Gaius Bolling's review from its original theatrical release here.
Video Quality
Decal Releasing brings Presence to Blu-Ray with a good 1080p video presentation, but this is a film that deserves a 4K UHD Blu-Ray release. Thankfully, a 4K UHD Blu-Ray is being released at the same time as the Blu-Ray, but it was not made available to us for review. The film is visually quite shadowy and dark, even when not immersed in the night, thanks to the cinematography from Soderbergh himself. The black levels on the Blu-Ray are slightly elevated to obscure some fine detail, but it is not an exceptional issue. This is something we could see being improved on the 4K UHD.
This disc experiences some banding in the darkest moments, and other subtle digital quirks keep the transfer from being perfect. For the most part, the image is crisp and clean with favorable textures present in the house. The costumes likewise provide clear textural details. Flesh tones are natural with a stark amount of detail such as lines and pores present in close-ups. The presentation delivers a notable amount of depth in some scenes despite the somewhat claustrophobic setting. This release holds up quite well, but we will likely pick up the 4K UHD Blu-Ray to have the best version for this one.
Audio Quality
This Blu-Ray comes with an effective Dolby Atmos track that captures this disquieting narrative without issue. Ambient sounds are a key part of this experience, and noises are specifically deployed in the rear channels for a fully three-dimensional sensation. The height channels complement the main channels very well by tastefully expanding the soundscape. Specific developments add texture to the low end to liven things up. Dialogue comes through clearly without being obscured by any competing sounds. The score emanates from the speakers with firm fidelity. The audio track does exactly what it needs to and more. Optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles are provided.
Special Features
Trailers
Final Thoughts
Presence is another incredible outing from Steven Soderbergh directing an effective script from David Koepp that uses the potential of a haunted house tale as something of a Trojan horse for the true horror of domestic instability. The unique POV of the camera allows this film to feel alive and invasive in all of the right ways. The veteran performers are expectedly great, but the younger newcomers make a mark of their own. The film does not overindulge in traditional scares, but those who want something that invades deeper on an emotional level should be quite pleased. Decal Releasing has released a Blu-Ray featuring a good A/V presentation and a small selection of supplements. If you do love the movie, you might want to spring for the 4K UHD Blu-Ray. Recommended
Presence is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray, DVD, and Digital.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Decal Releasing has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
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