Is Presence (2024) Based On A True Story?

The movie 2024 PRESENCE is a supernatural thriller that mixes elements of traditional ghost stories with real-life family drama and psychological tension. The movie, which was directed by Oscar winner—Steven Soderbergh and written by veteran screenwriter David Koepp, has a unique style. The movie has a different kind of ghost story, one that is based on family trauma, guilt, and redemption. Lucy Liu plays Rebekah Payne, Chris Sullivan plays Chris, Callina Liang plays Chloe, Eddy Maday plays Tyler, West Mulholland plays Ryan, and Julia Fox plays Cece.

Before we talk about whether Presence is based on a true story or is completely made up, let’s look at its plot.

“Presence” centers on the Payne family, who move into a suburban home shadowed by a mysterious force. Rebekah Payne (Lucy Liu), her husband Chris (Chris Sullivan), and their children, Tyler (Eddy Maday) and Chloe (Callina Liang), face tension and secrets beneath the surface. Chloe feels what she thinks is the spirit of her late friend Nadia after she moves in.

At the same time, Tyler’s friend—Ryan (West Mulholland) puts Chloe and Tyler in danger by making drug-related threats. The supernatural force seems to be protecting Chloe which stops Ryan from doing what he was planning to do. As things get worse, Tyler is given drugs, but he wakes up in time to talk to Ryan and save Chloe.

The plot twist says that the Presence is actually Tyler’s ghost, who is keeping an eye on his sister and making up for what he did in the past. “Presence” is a supernatural thriller with family drama elements that looks at loss, protection, and redemption.

IS “PRESENCE” (2024) BASED ON A TRUE STORY?

So, is Presence rooted in true events? The short answer is: no, it is not based on a true story, but its themes and inspiration are deeply grounded in real emotional experiences.

Screenwriter David Koepp, who has written major Hollywood films like Jurassic Park, Panic Room, and Stir of Echoes, said in interviews that the idea for Presence was born out of his personal fears as a parent. Koepp, who has raised four children, channeled his anxieties about protecting them into the screenplay. He was particularly haunted by the emotional volatility of the teenage years and the challenge of keeping children safe from unseen dangers—both real and emotional.

Koepp explained that he often woke up from dreams in which he imagined being a ghost. The film’s unique point of view on the story was built on those dreams. The ghost is written as a character in the script—even though it never talks or is seen. The writing uses phrases—like “We are afraid” and “We move closer” to show how the spirit feels and what it is thinking.

The ghost, whose name is later revealed to be Tyler, watches in silence as the family falls apart and tragedy strikes. In a way, he stands for the idea that people can become emotionally aware and be forgiven after they die. This idea doesn’t come from real events, but it is influenced by how people really feel when they lose someone, feel regret, or love someone in their family.

Telling a story from the point of view of a ghost was interesting to director Steven Soderbergh as a formal challenge. The camera basically acts like a person, sneaking around the house, hiding in closets and watching the family. Soderbergh himself ran the camera—which gave the ghost its own look. This technique makes it seem like the audience is getting in the way of private moments even more.

While the story of a ghost saving a family from harm is not factual, it taps into the longstanding tradition of supernatural tales being metaphors for unresolved trauma. The Presence in Presence is not unlike ghosts in other cinematic stories—such as The Sixth Sense or The Others—where the supernatural serves as a lens to explore human emotion.

Even though the movie isn’t based on real events, it feels real because it shows real fears and deep emotions. This realistic feel, along with the unique ghost-camera view, makes Presence feel close and believable.

CONCLUSION

There is no real truth to the story of Presence (2024). Not a real family went through these exact things, and there is no haunted house in the suburbs connected to these people. But the idea that came from the story is based on a true event. As David Koepp and Steven Soderbergh show, the supernatural can be used to look at family trauma, guilt, and love that isn’t spoken of.

The movie has a strong emotional arc that is shown through the eyes of a ghost who tries to protect his sister after death, something he couldn’t do in real life. It’s a story about forgiveness, loss, and hope in the end.

That being said, Presence isn’t based on real events or the news, but many people may be able to relate to its emotional core. Like many great ghost stories, this one’s truth is in how it makes you feel, not in what it says.

Come back soon to tvacute.com for more updates, breakdowns, and behind-the-scenes stories on Presence (2024) and other supernatural thrillers.

Where Was Presence (2024) Filmed?