Watch Absence

Absence is a science-fiction movie directed by Jimmy Loweree and released in 2013. The movie follows the story of Liz (Erin Way), a young woman who wakes up one morning to find that her husband, Callum (Eric Matheny), has disappeared without a trace. As she tries to piece together what happened, Liz realizes that the answer to her husband's disappearance might lie in a mysterious phenomenon that has been observed in the area.

The movie opens with a shaky camera shot of Liz walking through her bedroom while her husband is lying in bed. She leaves the room and goes about her day, preparing for a picnic with Callum. Later that evening, she finds Callum's abandoned car deep in the woods. There is no sign of him or any indication of what might have happened. As time goes on, Liz becomes more and more obsessed with finding her husband and eventually teams up with a group of researchers who are investigating a mysterious electromagnetic anomaly in the area.

As the investigation progresses, Liz begins to experience strange physical symptoms and has vivid, disturbing visions. The anomaly appears to be affecting her directly, and the researchers start to believe that Liz might hold the key to understanding what is happening. Meanwhile, tensions between the group members rise, and personal agendas begin to emerge.

The movie is shot in a found-footage style, which gives the impression that the viewer is watching Liz's video diary. This approach helps to build the tension and the sense of unease that pervades the movie. Erin Way delivers a remarkable performance as Liz, conveying both her determination and her vulnerability. Eric Matheny as Callum is also convincing in his role, even though his screen time is limited.

The narrative of the movie is deliberately slow-paced, building up a sense of mystery and foreboding. The filmmakers take their time to establish the characters and their relationships before delving into the sci-fi elements of the story. This is one of the movie's strengths because it allows the audience to get invested in the characters, making the subsequent events more impactful.

The movie's main themes are loss and grief. Liz's struggle to come to terms with her husband's disappearance is the main driving force of the narrative, and the sci-fi elements of the story are used to explore her emotional journey. By the end of the movie, Liz has undergone a transformation that is both cathartic and unsettling.

The movie's original soundtrack by Ceiri Torjussen is haunting and atmospheric, contributing to the sense of unease that permeates the movie. The visual effects are minimal but effective, creating a sense of otherworldliness that adds to the movie's overall tone.

One of the movie's disadvantages is the lack of explanation regarding the sci-fi elements of the story. The electromagnetic anomaly is never fully explained, leaving the audience with unanswered questions. While this might be intentional, it can be frustrating for viewers who are looking for more concrete answers.

In conclusion, Absence is a thought-provoking and suspenseful movie that will appeal to fans of slow-burn sci-fi thrillers. The movie is anchored by strong performances and an evocative soundtrack, creating a sense of unease that builds over time. While the lack of explanation regarding the sci-fi elements might be frustrating for some viewers, the movie succeeds in delving into themes of loss and grief in a compelling and unique way.

Absence is a 2013 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.1 and a MetaScore of 20.