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| Lucy Liu attends the premiere of "Presence" at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 13. |
Jan. 25, 2025, 1:53 AM GMT+6
Lucy Liu, renowned for her versatile roles in box-office hits, crime dramas, and musicals, now steps into the horror genre with her leading role in Presence.
At 56, Liu plays Rebekah, the matriarch of a family in a film directed by Steven Soderbergh, opening in theaters this Friday. The movie takes an unexpected approach to horror, using the genre to explore unspoken family dynamics.
The story centers on a young family who moves into a century-old suburban home, purchased from a real estate agent played by Julia Fox. As they settle in, family tensions begin to surface in a tight, suffocating setting, viewed through the eyes of a mysterious supernatural presence. The horror elements subtly highlight complex family issues such as favoritism and marital communication breakdowns.
“The backdrop is a family dynamic, and we see how this entity interacts with or observes them,” Liu explained to NBC News. “When people are absorbed in their own worlds, they may not realize how dysfunctional things are until they see it from an outside perspective.”
The film's unsettling nature is underscored by its refusal to neatly resolve every conflict, a characteristic Liu says is unique to horror.
“Horror doesn’t always need a tangible entity like Jason from Friday the 13th,” she noted. “This film builds suspense, evolving into a thriller as the story unfolds. It keeps the audience hooked, turning into a mystery that maintains tension throughout.”
Filming from the ghostly presence’s point of view, Soderbergh took a hands-on approach, maneuvering through the set in martial arts slippers, holding a camera to follow the actors.
Liu, who has directed episodes of Elementary, Luke Cage, and American Born Chinese, was deeply influenced by Soderbergh’s innovative filmmaking style. “Steven is willing to experiment with different genres and filmmaking techniques,” she said. “It takes courage, especially when you’re established and have a huge fanbase. But to grow as an artist, you have to take risks, whether or not they work.”
After three decades in the industry, Liu continues to break new ground, remaining a key figure for Asian American representation in Hollywood.
Born and raised in Queens, New York, Liu always aspired to act, but struggled with the lack of representation in the industry. Nevertheless, she forged ahead.
Her early career included numerous smaller roles before landing her breakthrough in Ally McBeal. Later, she skyrocketed to fame with iconic roles in Charlie’s Angels and Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill.
Liu became the second Asian American woman to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, following Anna May Wong in the 1960s, and was the first Asian American woman to host Saturday Night Live in 2000.
Liu credits her continued success to her willingness to take bold risks and reinvent herself, keeping her career fresh and impactful.
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