The Presence

The Presence

Year: 2010

Runtime: 83 mins

Language: English

Director: Tom Provost

HorrorDramaThrillerHorror

In this romantic ghost story, a woman retreats to an isolated cabin where a lingering apparition claims the space as its own. When her boyfriend arrives, the spirit obsession intensifies, driving her toward irrational behavior as line between sanity and possession blurs. She must confront whether the threat comes from her demons or a darker presence.

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The Presence (2010) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of The Presence (2010), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

On a remote island, a middle-aged woman Mira Sorvino arrives at a cabin tucked away in a dense forest, a place where silence deepens and the outside world feels distant. Inside, she becomes aware of an apparition, the Ghost Shane West, a man who cannot be seen or heard by her and who cannot leave the cabin. He watches her from the margins of daily life, a quiet, almost patient observer who never quite reaches out, yet his presence grows harder to ignore as days pass.

As she settles in, the Ghost’s curiosity about her intensifies, and she starts to sense a faint, almost whispered awareness that she is not alone. The isolation of the island life layers itself with a new tension, a mood that is at once soothing and unsettling, and the Ghost’s subtle watching becomes a fragile thread binding her to this spectral world.

Then her boyfriend arrives unannounced, Justin Kirk stepping into the cabin with a mix of surprise and warmth. He and the woman explore a lookout that she describes as a childhood favorite, a place where the landscape unlocks memories. In a tender moment that follows, he proposes, and she, torn between doubt and commitment, is urged by him to take time to think. He even suggests she should keep the engagement ring, a symbol of possibility that feels both hopeful and heavy after the accident that follows. In that instant, a sense of fragility strands itself through their plans, and the ring seems to vanish in the chaos of the moment.

That same day, the Ghost perceives whispers and becomes aware of another presence—another ghost dressed in black Tony Curran. This second figure sits close to the woman and feeds her with troubling words about the relationship, a nefarious influence she cannot see but can somehow feel. The Ghost in Black extends an offer to help him escape his limited supernatural existence, but only if the other Ghost agrees to aid him. This uneasy alliance introduces a new dynamic: words whispered in the space between them begin to affect the woman, turning her mood colder and more hostile toward her partner, and the two unseen specters begin to share the same secret behind her back.

The next day brings a confrontation that unsettles the couple. The man tries to discuss the future, but she pushes back, and the engagement falters. They learn, perhaps too late, that leaving the island is not simple—their lone boat arrives only sporadically, and the boat’s access hinges on a summons. When the man attempts to call for help, his cell phone is discovered to be dead, sealing them further into the island’s quiet trap.

As the man plans to depart, he realizes she is missing. He searches an opening she had shown him that leads to the space beneath the cabin, and he crawls inside to find her. She returns later, having found the engagement ring, and she hopes to mend what has broken. But he is not simply away; he lies under the cabin, injured, and she must confront the unsettling forces that have pulled them apart.

The Ghost in Black presses his hold on the moment, threatening to compel her to harm her partner with a rock, a cruel turn that makes her resist and seek another path. She rushes outside to call for help, but the Black Ghost lingers in her way. Just when it seems he might prevail, a deeper presence reveals itself behind him, and he screams in terror, allowing her to escape.

Back inside, the first Ghost remains unseen at first, but his scream cuts through, and she realizes he is not the antagonist she imagined. The third presence—Angel Deobia Oparei—enters the cabin, and through a sequence of flashbacks it is revealed that this benevolent force had quietly aided the couple all along: saving the man from a deadly fall and later placing the ring where she would find it. This third presence frees the Ghost from his own bounded existence, and both figures fade away together.

Mr. Browman, a townsman, appears at the door, having felt that something had gone wrong and having tried to reach her without success. They bring the injured boyfriend out from under the house and take him away on a boat to receive medical help, a hopeful note in the midst of the strange ordeal. As the departure unfolds, another silent presence sits beside Mr. Browman, a quiet reminder that the island’s mysteries linger in the shadows, even as the living seek to move forward.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:32

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Atmospheric psychological ghost stories like The Presence

Isolated settings where spectral presences challenge sanity and reality.If you liked the supernatural tension and psychological unease of The Presence, explore more movies like it. This collection features similar slow-burn horror films where ghostly encounters blur the line between possession and mental fragility, set against isolated, atmospheric backdrops.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically feature a character, often isolated, who encounters a supernatural presence. The central conflict revolves around determining the nature of the threat—is it a malevolent entity or a psychological breakdown? The narrative builds tension through ambiguity, atmosphere, and a slow erosion of the protagonist's sense of reality, often culminating in a confrontation that resolves the immediate danger but may leave lingering mysteries.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together because they share a core focus on the intersection of the supernatural and the psychological. They prioritize a tense, atmospheric mood over graphic scares, use slow pacing to build unease, and explore themes of isolation, internal conflict, and the fragility of the mind when faced with the inexplicable.

Supernatural aid dramas with hopeful endings like The Presence

Stories where benevolent spirits intervene in human conflicts with a hopeful resolution.For viewers who appreciated the mix of supernatural threat and benevolent aid in The Presence, this list curates similar movies. These stories blend relationship drama with supernatural elements, where spectral presences influence a central conflict, ultimately guiding characters toward a hopeful resolution.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a central human drama—often a strained relationship or personal crisis—that becomes intertwined with a supernatural presence. Initially, this presence may be perceived as a threat, creating tension and conflict. However, it is later revealed that the entity has a benevolent purpose, intervening to resolve the human struggle. The journey moves from tension and fear to understanding and a ultimately hopeful conclusion.

Why These Movies?

These movies are connected by their unique blend of supernatural thriller and emotional drama. They share a moderate intensity driven by psychological tension, a pacing that allows for character development, and a core theme that not all unseen forces are evil—some can provide guidance and lead to positive change, resulting in a satisfying, hopeful ending.

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The Presence Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Presence

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Presence. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Presence

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More About The Presence

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