[By: tvacute.com] A supernatural thriller called PRESENCE (2024) was written by David Koepp and directed by Steven Soderbergh—who won an Oscar. The movie lets the viewers feel like they are directly experiencing the haunting. A family called the Payne’s (Chris Sullivan, Julia Fox), along with their kids Chloe (Callina Liang) and Tyler (Eddy Maday), are at the center of the story. The family moves into a house in the suburbs that seems normal, but it turns out to be haunted. Chloe is the first person to feel the ghost’s presence. She is still upset about her friend Nadia’s death. Chloe’s new friend Ryan (West Mulholland) makes things more tense as family secrets come to light and relationships fall apart. In a strong clima— people die and truths that have been hidden for a long time come out.
FILMING IN CRANFORD, NEW JERSEY
PRESENCE was shot entirely on location in Cranford, New Jersey, during an intense 11-day schedule in September 2023. This occurred under an interim SAG-AFTRA agreement amid the actors’ strike. The film’s sole location—a private residence—was critical to the narrative. Producer Julie M. Anderson scouted locations herself while staying in New York. On recommendation from David Schoner of the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission, she discovered Cranford. The town’s calm suburban streets and historic charm immediately fit the project’s needs.
THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE FILM WAS A HOUSE
The set chose a house at 405 Springfield Avenue, Cranford, with the help of location manager Katherine Delaney. Five families had offered their homes, but this one was the best fit for both creativity and practicality. The two-story house had a staircase that could be used for filming, closets that could be used, and a layout that was great for long shots. To make the living room feel cozier, a fireplace and an antique-style mirror were added. Taking away the house’s original furniture for a while made it into a character in its own right, adding to the movie’s themes of time, memory and loss.
Details on the set design for “Inside the Payne House”
The production team made certain changes to the movie to make it look creepy. They put up an old mirror that was very important to the emotional and supernatural ending of the movie. The rooms were redone to include both modern comforts and touches from the past. The lighting, wall art, and props were all carefully chosen to make the house feel both warm and unsettling. These design choices added to the ghost’s emotional connection to the space and made the characters’ tension rise.
DIRECTORIAL STYLE AND VISUAL APPROACH
Here you can see all of Soderbergh’s trademark new ideas. He used a Sony mirrorless camera on a DJI Ronin stabilizer to film PRESENCE under the cinematography name Peter Andrews. Soderbergh wore rubber and nylon slippers to block out footstep noise while filming from the ghost’s point of view, which required smooth—quiet movement. This immersive technique makes it hard to tell the difference between the viewer and the ghost, making for a very creepy viewing experience. The film’s intimacy and intensity came from having a small crew and long takes that were not interrupted.
CRANFORD’S RISING APPEAL IN HOLLYWOOD
Cranford’s appeal is no longer a secret. Known for its small-town charm and accessibility to New York City, the township has become a desirable filming location. Projects like Sweethearts, Anne Hathaway’s Eileen, and the upcoming Tow have also used the area. With PRESENCE, Cranford wasn’t just a backdrop — it helped shape the story’s mood and authenticity. The cooperation of residents and the town’s atmosphere made it possible for Soderbergh and his team to create a story that feels grounded yet otherworldly.
PRESENCE transforms a suburban house in Cranford into a vessel for memory, grief, and fear — an unseen ghost’s emotional journey told through a bold visual lens.
Stay connected to tvacute.com for more insights, updates, and behind-the-scenes coverage of PRESENCE and other supernatural thrillers.
Is Presence (2024) Based On A True Story?
