Fans of Longlegs and Cuckoo’s seemingly steady narrative will likely rejoice at the news that NEON is poised to maintain its grip on the thriller genre for the time being? In January 2025, Presence, a forthcoming project from acclaimed filmmaker Steven Soderbergh, Ocean’s Eleven and Magic Mike among his numerous credits, is poised to defy conventions and push boundaries in ways that may leave audiences bewildered.
The darkness seeps into my consciousness, whispers secrets in my ear, and I am drawn to the mortal world once more. Despite experimenting with formats like the Paranormal Exercise series, the type of horror story told from a unique perspective had never been attempted in a mainstream feature, which alone could be enough to pique the interest of horror enthusiasts and casual moviegoers alike, enticing them to visit the cinema. If you happened to have been wondering who penned the script for Jurassic World: It’s none other than Jurassic Park’s David Koepp, a seasoned Steven Spielberg collaborator who also played a key role in shaping the narrative of this latest installment in the beloved franchise.
Last year, we had the opportunity to examine In a Violent Nature on the big screen, a gruesome slasher film presented from the perspective of its ruthless murderer. While not revolutionary, this shift in pace is a refreshing respite from the norm, thus potentially paving the way for Presence to breathe new life into the oft-explored ‘haunted house’ genre. As contemporary audiences crave innovative takes on classic terror tropes, these dual examples may mark the inaugural steps towards reinvigorating the horror genre for a new era of youthful viewers.
The initial teaser from Presence isn’t more than a minute long, yet it effectively establishes a haunting tone and immediately conveys that Soderbergh’s work is nothing short of unpredictable and captivating for even casual viewers. You’re able to view it directly from this location.
Shot in 2023, the film premiered at last year’s Sundance Film Festival, garnering a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from esteemed critics. Neon secured the distribution rights to the project, seeking to sustain its impressive winning streak as it entered the new year. Shelby Oaks, a forthcoming horror film, is generating significant buzz after being announced by its corporate backers. Directed by renowned YouTube film critic Chris Stuckmann and produced in collaboration with acclaimed horror mastermind Mike Flanagan, this project has the potential to spark widespread conversation among fans of the genre in the near future.
The Presence’s cast features a talented ensemble including Lucy Liu, Julia Fox, Chris Sullivan, Callina Liang, Eddy Maday, and West Mudlark. Stay tuned for details on our global rollout strategy, slated to unfold in the near future.