Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- melancholic
- eerie
- foreboding
- late night horror viewing
- indie horror marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an intense, haunting, atmospheric, and non-formulaic independent supernatural horror, while noting that its low-budget presentation and climax may limit its payoff.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film emphasizes palpable grief, low-key tension, and an ominous underpass over jump scares or gross-out effects.
Daniel's seven-year absence and the linked disappearances draw Tricia and Callie toward the tunnel's ancient presence.
Tricia is pressured to declare her husband dead while trying to rebuild her life amid unresolved loss.
The tunnel near the sisters' home functions as the film's central threatening space and source of mystery.
Films like Absentia, and why
The Night House
shared slow burn supernatural horror, grief-centered character drama, and atmospheric independent filmmaking
The Babadook
shared intimate domestic setting, uncanny supernatural menace, and emotionally grounded horror
The Blair Witch Project
shared low-budget supernatural mystery, creeping dread, and a threatening space connected to disappearances
Lake Mungo
shared melancholy, ambiguous supernatural terror, and character-driven independent horror
Movie Details
- Director
- Mike Flanagan
- Release Date
- 2011-03-03
- Runtime
- 91 min
- Rating
- 5.8 / 10 (405)
Cast
- Katie Parker
- Courtney Bell
- Morgan Peter Brown
- Dave Levine
- Justin Gordon
- Doug Jones
- Connie Ventress
- Ian Gregory
- Erin Cipolletti
- Damon Pfaff
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Absentia about?
- Two sisters confronting a missing man's presumed death uncover an ancient presence haunting a nearby tunnel.
- What is Absentia like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Absentia as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Absentia violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Absentia as moderate.
- What did critics think of Absentia?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an intense, haunting, atmospheric, and non-formulaic independent supernatural horror, while noting that its low-budget presentation and climax may limit its payoff.
- Which films are like Absentia?
- Films with a similar feel include The Night House, The Babadook, The Blair Witch Project, and Lake Mungo.
- How long is Absentia?
- Absentia runs 91 minutes.
- Where can I watch Absentia?
- In United States, Absentia is available to rent or buy from Google Play Movies, YouTube, Amazon Video.
