After premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, Neon has secured the worldwide rights for Presence, the latest thriller directed by Oscar winner Steven Soderbergh. The film introduces a twisted version of the haunted house genre by unfolding the narrative from the viewpoint of an entity while delving into the issues faced by the inhabitants of the haunted residence.

In a recent profile with Variety, Soderbergh expressed his desire to tell the story in a different way, using the ghostly elements as a “Trojan horse to show a group of people in danger of falling apart,” he explained.

The cast of Presence includes Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, Callina Liang, Eddy Maday, and Julia Fox, with the script penned by David Koepp, who previously collaborated with Soderbergh on Kimi. 

The film’s premiere at Sundance was met with a spirited response, with certain audience members reportedly leaving the screening, attesting to the film’s unsettling nature. Star of the film Lucy Liu shared her genuine reaction during a Q&A, stating, “I’m just devastated. My body is having reactions as if I wasn’t in the movie.”

While the exact amount Neon paid for Presence remains undisclosed, the deal for worldwide rights reflects the growing challenges indie films face at the box office. The market at Sundance has witnessed slower deal negotiations, with notable acquisitions like A Royal Pain and It’s What’s Inside fetching significant sums from Searchlight Pictures and Netflix, respectively. 

Neon, known for its success with Anatomy of a Fall, which earned five Oscar nominations, brokered the deal on behalf of the filmmakers. As the film prepares for its global release, Presence promises to be another intriguing addition to Soderbergh’s diverse filmography.