Ambiguity in horror films is often a foundation in masterful storytelling. What’s scarier than the unknown, and those dark, mysterious forces that lurk in the shadows of the background, waiting to unleash their malevolence upon the unsuspecting characters? Presence, directed by Christian Schultz, tries to focus on the aspect of frightful ambiguity with a methodical, often confusing tale set against a dazzlingly picturesque backdrop.

When we first meet Jennifer (Jenna Lyng Adams), she’s plagued by disconcerting nightmares, which have taken a toll on both her mental health, and life in general. She’s also dealing with an abrasive, persistent ex boyfriend (Octavio Pisano), while also trying in vain to get a hold of her best friend, Samantha (Alexandria DeBerry), whom she hasn’t heard from in weeks. We aren’t given much to go on for the basis and reason for the nightmares, but we’re made to feel as though they’re an important aspect of the plot from the start. The hope, of course, is that it’ll begin to make more sense as the movie proceeds.

Jennifer finally does end up hearing from Samantha, and it’s at this point that we learn that these two are also business partners, and Samantha has resurfaced to inform Jennifer that they have a very interested, and very rich investor who wants to meet with them. The catch is that Jennifer must be ready to leave imminently, and will be picked up to be whisked away to an undisclosed location. 

That location turns out to be a luxury yacht occupied by said wealthy investor, David (Dave Davis), and he’s there to greet Jennifer with Samantha, who is flippantly casual about her unexplained absence. Once on board, they quickly set off into the sparkling blue sea, where the setting for nearly almost the entirety of the rest of the film takes place. There’s an abundance of awkwardness permeating the ship, both from the strained relationship between Jennifer and Samantha and the dubious role David plays in all of this. 

In the midst of it all remains the unshakable, perplexing nightmares/delusions afflicting Jennifer, which seem to be worsening. Are these merely hallucinations, or is there a force more evil that she’s inadvertently brought on board with her?

Presence is something of an enigma when it comes to overall story structure and how it plays out. To start, we’re given an unclear peek into a woman’s plight with an entity that appears to be both concrete and metaphysical. As the film plods on, we cling to the fragments of information it gives us, in hopes for a better understanding of what’s transpiring. By the final act, we’re left with an incomplete puzzle that seems to beg to be put together right.

Being set in a scenic locale certainly helps aid the production value, thanks to the exquisite cinematography of John Paul Summers. The beauty of the open ocean is captured with finesse, and keeping the location to the limited confines of a yacht lends itself to tight, focused shots to aid in the feeling of discomfort. 

Adams holds her own as a strong lead, and someone you can empathize with almost immediately. She balances out the severity of her situation with careful ease that never feels like it’s overdone. DeBerry also shines as the vapid, oblivious counterpart to Adams’ desperation. It makes you wonder how these two ever became friends with such conflicting personalities, but that’s part of what makes their relationship work as well. Samantha’s uncaring demeanor towards the person who is supposed to be her best friend is perplexing, and left incomplete in understanding due to the fuzziness of the latter part of the film.

Overall, Presence provides an intriguing concept inserted against a beautiful setting, but ultimately falters in overall execution. It’s obvious there’s a message the creators are wanting to tell, but what that is exactly isn’t completely evident. You can only care about a character so much if you aren’t ever fully in the know about what’s going on with them. The performances and impressive camera work make this an enjoyable enough watch, but once all is said and done, you’re likely to have more questions than you do answers.

6 out of 10