Absentia Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A pregnant lady’s missing husband suddenly reappears after seven years, only to be snatched away again by interdimensional tunnel-dwelling centipede monsters who probably just needed a friend, or a snack… possibly both.

🍿 Absentia: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Disappearance and Return

Tricia’s husband, Daniel, has been missing for seven years. Her sister, Callie, a recovering addict, comes to stay with her as Tricia prepares to declare Daniel legally dead. This process forces Tricia to confront her grief and begin to move on with her life, a process made more complicated by her pregnancy. Meanwhile, Callie attempts to support her sister, while also dealing with her own past demons.

The Tunnel and Strange Occurrences

Callie discovers a seemingly ordinary tunnel near Tricia’s home, but starts noticing a pattern of disappearances in the area linked to the tunnel. She encounters a distressed man inside who seems aware of a hidden force. After trying to help him and bringing him food, Callie begins receiving unsettling gifts in her home. This raises questions about a possible connection between the tunnel and the missing people, hinting at something beyond human comprehension. The gifts suggest a form of communication or exchange with something sinister.

The Unbelievable Truth and Further Disappearances

Against all odds, Daniel reappears, disoriented and traumatized, but unable to explain what happened. He makes cryptic remarks about trading and warns Callie, further deepening the mystery surrounding the tunnel. Soon after, Daniel is violently taken again, seemingly by an unseen force. Despite Callie’s desperate attempts to explain what she witnessed, her claims are dismissed due to her history of addiction. This leaves Callie struggling to convince others of the terrifying reality and battling to save her sister.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Tricia (Courtney Bell): A pregnant woman grappling with declaring her missing husband dead while experiencing terrifying visions.
• Callie (Katie Parker): Tricia’s younger sister, a recovering addict, who discovers a sinister connection between a tunnel and local disappearances.
• Daniel (Morgan Peter Brown): Tricia’s husband, who reappears after seven years with no memory of his disappearance.
• Det. Mallory (Dave Levine): The detective investigating Daniel’s disappearance and developing a romantic interest in Tricia.
• Walter Lambert (Doug Jones): A missing person who Callie encounters in the tunnel, suggesting a supernatural element to the disappearances.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Callie: “I’m gonna shower. I smell like an armpit’s asshole.” – Callie says this upon arriving to stay with her sister, highlighting her blunt and somewhat rough personality.
• Daniel: “Don’t trade with it.” – A traumatized Daniel warns Callie about the entity in the tunnel, hinting at the dangers of interacting with it.
• Tricia: “Reality is usually as simple as it is.” – Tricia expresses her skepticism towards Callie’s supernatural theories, representing a grounded perspective.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $70,000
• Domestic Gross: $8,555
• Worldwide Gross: $8,555

💥 Absentia Reviews

Personal Review

I was completely drawn into Absentia’s atmosphere of dread and mystery. The slow burn really worked for me, making the unsettling moments that much more effective. The tunnel became such a creepy focal point and I kept wondering what exactly was lurking there. The scene where Tricia sees Daniel on the street gave me chills. It made me feel anxious, uncertain, and a little bit scared, which is exactly what I want from a good horror movie. The acting was great too, it made the characters feel relatable, it only added to the unsettling nature of this movie.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of slow-burn horror”
  • “Viewers who appreciate psychological thrillers”
  • “Audiences interested in Lovecraftian horror”
  • “Those who enjoy independent films with strong character development”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Disturbing themes of loss and disappearances”
  • “Brief violent imagery”
  • “Some frightening scenes”
  • “Mild language”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A cool story, some nice direction, well paced editing and a more than capable cast don’t need to come from a big Hollywood studio. At times the scares are so subtle you won’t believe your own eyes.
• Film Bizarro: “An important movie, it shows what good thinking can do compared to good effects. It puts you into the misery of our characters and has you constantly trying to figure out what is really going on.
• HorrorNews.net: “Absentia is an unnerving film full of great performances that doesn’t lose the human equation in it’s search for scares.

Audience Reactions

The chilling atmosphere and suspenseful build-up kept viewers on the edge of their seats.: Viewers praised the film’s ability to create a sense of unease and dread without relying on jump scares or gore.

Many were impressed by how well the film utilized its limited budget to create a compelling horror experience.: Audiences appreciated the strong performances, particularly from the lead actresses, and the film’s exploration of grief and loss.

Overall Consensus: Absentia is a slow-burn, atmospheric horror film that relies on suspense, strong performances, and a compelling mystery to create a genuinely unsettling experience for viewers. Though the low budget is apparent at times, the film’s strengths in storytelling and character development make it a standout in the independent horror genre.

Awards

1. Independent Film Festival of Boston (Best Screenplay)- 2011
2. Toronto After Dark Film Festival (Best Independent Feature)- 2011

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Absentia was funded through a Kickstarter campaign, showcasing the dedication and support Mike Flanagan had even early in his career.”
• “The film’s low budget of $70,000 required resourcefulness and creativity in its production, leading to innovative solutions for creating a tense and unsettling atmosphere.”
• “Director Mike Flanagan makes a cameo appearance as the writer of the news article that Callie and Tricia are reading.”
• “The apartment that Tricia and Callie are looking at was the real-life apartment that Mike Flanagan lived in when he first moved to Los Angeles.”

🖥️ How to Watch Absentia?

As a lower budget independent film, Absentia may be difficult to find on mainstream streaming services. Check platforms like Tubi or Shudder, which often feature indie horror. You may find it available for rent or purchase on platforms such as Apple TV, Google Play, and Amazon Prime Video. Physical copies (DVD/Blu-ray) can sometimes be found through online retailers such as Amazon, or in stores specializing in independent cinema.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Absentia, you might like these similar films:

• Oculus (2013): Directed by Mike Flanagan, shares a focus on psychological horror and family trauma with a supernatural element.
• The Tunnel (2011): Found-footage horror set in tunnels beneath Sydney, Australia, explores claustrophobia and unknown terrors.
• Session 9 (2001): Psychological thriller set in an abandoned asylum, creating a similar atmosphere of dread and slow-burn suspense.
• Resolution (2012): Low-budget indie horror that blends different genres and tackles cosmic horror with a self-aware approach.

🛒 Absentia Related Products

• Mike Flanagan Collection (4-Movie Set: Absentia, Oculus, Hush, Ouija: Origin of Evil): A digital bundle featuring four of Mike Flanagan’s acclaimed horror films, giving you a deep dive into his unique style of suspense and supernatural storytelling.
• Lovecraft Short Story Collection: Explore the cosmic horror and existential dread that inspired elements of Absentia. This collection includes classic tales of the unknown and unknowable.
• Creepy Tunnel Night Light: A tunnel shaped night light will give a cool vibe to any room, just make sure you leave it on so you don’t have any unexpected visitations.

🎧 Soundtrack

Absentia features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Bleed With Me” – performed by Beezle

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

“Absentia” (Indie Horror) Sizzle Reel

Ever wonder what it’s like to make an indie horror film? This sizzle reel gives you a peek at the raw footage from the first week of shooting ‘Absentia.’ It’s pretty cool to see how it all started!

✨ Rate