Steven Soderbergh is widely regarded as one of the most versatile and innovative filmmakers of this generation. With movies such as ‘Sex, Lies, and Videotape’ (1989), ‘Erin Brockovich’ (2000), The ‘Ocean’ series (2001 – 2007), ‘Contagion’ (2011), ‘Logan Lucky’ (2017), and ‘No Sudden Move’ (2021), he has ensured that there’s always something fresh in his […] The post EXCLUSIVE | ‘Presence’ stars Callina Liang, West Mulholland, and Eddy Maday on How Steven Soderbergh Merges Supernatural Horror with Psychological Realism appeared first on Coastal House Media.
Steven Soderbergh is widely regarded as one of the most versatile and innovative filmmakers of this generation. With movies such as ‘Sex, Lies, and Videotape’ (1989), ‘Erin Brockovich’ (2000), The ‘Ocean’ series (2001 – 2007), ‘Contagion’ (2011), ‘Logan Lucky’ (2017), and ‘No Sudden Move’ (2021), he has ensured that there’s always something fresh in his filmography. Now, Soderbergh has ventured into the realm of psychological horror with ‘Presence,’ further showcasing his ability to reinvent himself as a filmmaker. Known for his meticulous storytelling and bold experimentation with form, ‘Presence’ pushes the boundaries of the genre by blending eerie tension with thought-provoking themes. The film chronicles the journey of a family that moves into a suburban house and gets convinced that there’s a supernatural entity in the house. The movie stars Lucy Liu, Julia Fox, and Chris Sullivan in pivotal roles. Apart from the aforementioned stars, the title also sees young actors like Callina Liang, West Mulholland, and Eddy Maday taking viewers by storm.
Coastal House Media journalist Aayush Sharma spoke with Liang, Mulholland, and Maday about their respective roles and how the film plays with everyone’s minds.
A production still from the movie ‘Presence’ (Image Courtesy: The Spectral Spirit Company)
For Callina Liang, stepping into the role of 16-year-old Chloe meant immersing herself in a world of trauma and neglect. The young character’s isolation and grief lead her to seek solace in the unlikeliest of places—a ghost. “I really tried to tap into how Chloe would feel as a 16-year-old girl in this family, going through trauma and experiencing such profound neglect,” Liang shared. “When I put myself in that headspace, I realized that, of course, Chloe would want to reach out and connect with the ghost. It’s the only tangible thing she has—the only option, you know. I think that’s why she’s so drawn to the presence, especially because she believes it might be someone she knows.” But balancing Chloe’s emotions was key to her performance, as Liang noted the delicate interplay between fear, grief, and a sense of relief. “It was definitely a fine balance between grief and a sense of relief—relief that the person she’s lost might still be here—while also balancing that with being scared,” she explained. “It all actually came pretty naturally, though, because Steven was always in the corner with the camera. Playing with him in those moments was really fun, and he really did help bring that balance to life.”
At its heart, Presence delves into the complexities of human emotions and relationships, blending supernatural intrigue with raw, psychological realism. West Mulholland, who plays Ryan in the film, credits the detailed groundwork laid by writer David Koepp and director Soderbergh for allowing the cast to dive deep into their characters’ psyches. “I think David, the screenwriter, along with Steven in collaboration, really laid the groundwork beautifully,” Mulholland said. “They gave us just enough information to go out, do our research, and truly understand where our characters are coming from—their backgrounds.” Additionally, for him, this foundation provided the freedom for creative collaboration. The actor said, “As actors, it was amazing to have the opportunity to get creative and collaborate with both Steven and David to explore who these people really are. What are their demons? For instance, with Ryan’s character, his mother seems to play a very prominent role in his life. What is his relationship with her like? It seems he’s an only child, so we delved into developing these ideas and uncovering these demons. This process, I guess, really helped us live in the world that Steven had laid out for us.”
Callina Liang in a still from ‘Presence’ (Inage Courtesy: The Spectral Spirit Company)
On the other hand, Eddy Maday highlighted the intricacies of the film’s storytelling, which weaves together past and present events to create a rich emotional tapestry. “I think David is masterful at crafting a story that doesn’t exist in a bubble,” Maday said. “There’s so much that happens before the story begins, and he weaves it through in context, giving us bits and pieces that help us understand why the family starts off as fractured as it does.” For Maday, the stakes in the film are heightened by a shared traumatic history, where past events continue to haunt the characters. This history not only fractures the family but also adds immense pressure to their present struggles, creating a sense of urgency and fear that drives the narrative forward. “As we learn, this is almost the second time they’re experiencing something like this, which is why it becomes such a high-stakes situation—especially for Tyler. In his case, he’s determined not to let the same thing happen that happened last time,” Eddy explained.
Even though the film has been touted as a horror film, Liang believes that ‘Presence’ is actually more of a “psychological horror” film that talks about people fighting their inner demons. “I feel like Presence is more of a psychological thriller than a horror,” she said. “You’re seeing through the eyes of the ghost, observing the personal demons that every single person in this film is battling and struggling with, and watching how they interact with each other. I think that’s what makes the film so interesting—it’s very meaty, very raw. No one is entirely right or wrong; it’s just everyone going through their own pain and trying to figure it out.”
‘Presence’ is scheduled to be released nationwide on January 24, 2025.
The post EXCLUSIVE | ‘Presence’ stars Callina Liang, West Mulholland, and Eddy Maday on How Steven Soderbergh Merges Supernatural Horror with Psychological Realism appeared first on Coastal House Media.
