Movie writer and director Mike Flanagan's Absentia is a truly creepy and harrowing film. Flanagan, known for his other movies such as Hush, Oculus, and Ouija: Origin of Evil is a truly talented screenwriter and movie director and he is making a good name for himself in the world of horror and psychological thrillers with his films. His movie Absentia lives up to the good reputation Flanagan has developed for himself and since it is one of his first, it leaves the audience wanting to see more and more from him in the future. Absentia is set in the town of Glendale, California, where we meet Tricia (Courtney Bell) and her sister Callie (Catherine Parker) who are seeing each other for the first time in years. We learn quickly that Callie disappeared off the map for a while because of a drug problem and even though she led Tricia to believe that she was clean now, we see her hide a canister of what we can deduce to be drugs under her bed. We also learn that Tricia's husband, Daniel, has been missing for seven years. Because of this, Tricia plans on declaring him as "dead in absentia." However, at the same time, she is having visions of her husband, which work very well to startle the audience at times, as he appears randomly and without warning in places where you don't expect him to. Her psychiatrist (Scott Graham) claims that this is how Tricia's mind is coping with the prolonged absence of her husband, but she believes he is angry with her and that's why she's seeing him. From here on out, the plot twists and turns in many directions. We learn that there is a lot more to Daniel's disappearance than we are led to believe in the beginning of movie. Personally, I expected the plot to remain centered on Daniel's hauntings of Tricia the entire time, but that was not the case. Flanagan brings us into a realm of terror much greater than anyone could have imagined upon watching only the first 30 minutes of the film. Flanagan churns stomachs again and again with each plot twist. His talented writing was the most important aspect of this film. The next important aspect that helped to set a scary, unnerving atmosphere was the setting and the music. The town of Glendale, California reminded me a lot of the town where the movie It Follows was filmed. In It Follows, this setting plus the unique choices for music worked effectively to create an uneasy atmosphere throughout the duration of the movie. I wouldn't be surprised if Director David Robert Mitchell and Disasterpeace actually adapted the setting and type of music based on the atmosphere put together by Flanagan and Ryan David Leack in Absentia. Also, one common thing that many horror movies suffer from is the scary music being too much, or intrusive in a way. When something is supposed to make an audience jump, the music gets loud all of the sudden and the music beforehand anticipates the jump scare to create building tension. While this is still an effective tool, Leack took a different approach in Absentia. He chose music that sets an anxious tone for the duration of the movie, not just at specific points. Also, there are some times where the jump scares aren't anticipated by the creepy music. There is simply no sound, and then something happens! In a way, I felt like I was more thoroughly terrified by these types of scares than the other cliché jump scares with loud music characteristic of most horror movies. Catherine Parker and Courtney Bell put on wonderful performances in the movie. They brought life to their characters. Courtney Bell played Tricia's grief effectively and was even more effective in acting distraught, confused, and simply tired of all as one thing after another kept happening. Parker also performed well, and frankly Tricia and Callie's strong relationship was one of the rocks that held a somewhat positive, heartwarming vibe throughout the film, even though there was tension between the sisters at times. Dave Levine also put on a stellar performance as Detective Mallory. We meet Det. Mallory in the beginning of the movie as well, and we learn that he was the detective that worked on Daniel's disappearance case before Tricia decided to declare him dead in absentia. Levine does a good job conveying Mallory's longing to keep Tricia safe and protect her. The only thing slightly negative about the film was that the camera work was slightly shaky since Phase 4 Films is a bit of a low-budget production company, but it doesn't take anything at all away from the excitement and thrill you will experience while watching this movie. You will be on the edge of your seat until the very end, waiting for a resolution to this multidimensional horror story, that will leave you chilled to the bone after its completion. Rating: 4.5/5

I watched this for the first time about 4 years ago and I loved it, but then when I watched it more recently it wasn't as good as I remember. The acting and graphics aren't fantastic, but the story is still very interesting, kind of similar to Stranger Things. I probably don't need to watch it again though.

ABSENTIA is a very rare thing -- a well-crafted, thoughtful and beautifully-balanced film that winkles its way through the chinks in the cynical armour that audiences seem to wear these days. And as a first film for much of the cast with severe budget and time constraints -- kudos are in order.

Great great movie. Also the mirror from Oculus is in the psychiatrists office to make things extra disturbing.

Like the plot. Interesting, not a cliche horror movie. Something new..

Absentia largely succeeds through a less is more model of filmmaking combined with the scariest thing there is: the unknown. It does have moments where it feels as low budget and amateur as it actually is, but these scenes are quickly overshadowed by the strong cast and the storytelling. 4 stars

Don't let the cheesy poster fool you, or that it's 'horror.' This is a very well made low budget indie that is a pleasant surprise. Good acting, some nice humor, and dread that can't be brought down by the minimal yet kinda annoying music and occasionally rough cinematography. Worth checking out, just don't expect gore or constant chills.

Tense independent horror film and directorial debut from Mike Flanagan.

Pure filmmaking. Has the atmosphere that is by and large missing from the horror genre, opting for character development, tension, engagement and grounding rather than jump scares and gross-out gore effects. Still a horror movie, to be sure (and therefore not for everybody) but one that stands on its own.

Excellent movie. The low budget didnt matter at all. The creepy slow burn and building tension makes this a great psychological thriller. Since watching this ive been trying to find another movie that can give me the same skin crawling feeling that I got watching this. A must see!

Skillfully done with a shoestring budget. Covering old ground the screenwriter and director " make it new". An almost Lovecraftian touch that drives the fatalism of the storyline. A glimpse of hope with the pregnant protagonist and suggestions, suggestions. Barely a glimpse of the horror. Lewton's let the mind paint the terror. Works very well. Best horror I have seen in quite a while.

Good cast, liked the story and it was thrilling and eerie enough. I like that they didn't rely so much on jump scares, as many horror movies do.

Spooky little indi thriller shot entirely on a Canon DSLR.

Great HP Lovecraft inspired movie. I loved the mystery behind it as well as the rather dark ending.

Although it does have its tense moments, this low-budget movie is not only marred by poor narrative choices and a lame cinematography but also leaves a lot unanswered and so many elements underdeveloped, with a frustrating ending that tries too hard to be profound.