Presence, the twisty new thriller from Oscar winner Steven Soderbergh, has sold to Neon.
The film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival last week, puts a unique spin on the classic haunted house genre, unfolding from the perspective of the spirit that wanders throughout the two-story home. While we don't know its exact purpose, the "ghost" seems hellbent on flexing its muscles amid a family who appears to be dealing with many personal issues.
Just how much Neon paid for the film is unknown, but the deal is for worldwide rights.
This sale comes on the heels of a relatively slow Sundance. Given the current box office struggles for most independent films, studios haven't been quick to act, taking their time to assess the situation surrounding each movie seeking distribution at the usually robust festival.
A Real Pain with Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin sold to Searchlight Pictures for $10 million, while Netflix landed horror hit It's What's Inside for $17 million. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story finds itself favorably positioned amid a bidding war, while Thelma, the June Squibb action thriller, has piqued buyers' interest but hasn't yet locked down a home.
Presence marked Soderbergh's return to Park City, where thirty-five years ago, he sold his first feature film, Sex, Lies, and Videotape, to Miramax. That film ushered in a new wave of storytelling, notably within the indie space. Time will tell if Presence has the same industry effect.
Written by David Koepp, Presence stars Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, Eddy Maddy, Calling Liang, and West Mulholland.
