Product Details

• Actors: Katie Parker, Courtney Bell, Dave Levine, Doug Jones
• Directors: Mike Flanagan
• Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Surround Sound, Widescreen
• Language: English, French
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Phase 4 Films
• DVD Release Date: March 13, 2012
• Run Time: 91 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (102 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B006QWC2ZC
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,785 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Review

One hell of a horror film! --Fangoria

Tense & Unnerving. --Dread Central

...very creepy, non-formulaic and more grounded in relatable personalities than the usual horror film... --Variety

Product Description

Tricia's husband has been missing for seven years. Her younger sister Callie comes to live with her as the pressure mounts to finally declare him 'dead in absentia.' As Tricia sifts through the wreckage and tries to move on with her life, Callie finds herself drawn to an ominous tunnel near the house. As she begins to link it to other mysterious disappearances, she comes to the realization that his presumed death might be anything but 'natural.' Soon it becomes clear that the ghostly force at work in the tunnel might have set its sights on Callie and Tricia too.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

68 of 79 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An eerie, intelligent, character-driven horror film January 14, 2012

By Tim Waggoner

Format:DVD

Seven years ago, a woman's husband goes missing. But just as she's finally ready to stop grieving and put the loss behind her, he reappears. He claims to have been trapped in some otherworldly realm for all this time, and the only explanation he has for his escape is, "It must have been sleeping."

Absentia is a wonderfully written and directed horror film. It falls squarely in the genre of quiet horror, where character, mood, and atmosphere all contribute to a sense of dread that builds throughout the film until it reaches its ultimate nightmarish payoff. In many ways, it reminded me of the fiction of Charles L. Grant and Ramsey Campbell, which -- as a horror writer myself -- is one of the highest compliments I can give. If you're looking for just another gore-fest, this isn't for you, but if you're looking for intelligent, original, truly unsettling horror, you have to check out this film. Definitely one of the best releases of 2011.

45 of 55 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't be Fooled by the Cover Art! February 6, 2012

By Pen Slinger

Format:DVD

Absentia is NOT the run-of-the-mill weekly horror release. The cover art on the box may make you think to bypass or rent this, but I urge anyone with a taste for creepy horror and H.P. Lovecraft to purchase this ASAP. I, along with so many lucky others, experienced this creepy, get-under-your-skin horror tale at a film festival and we were blown away. It's a great high concept story expertly translated with a minimal budget. The effects are terrifying at times while cast and crew deliver a nightmarish vision that may make you keep the lights on for weeks. I suggest blasting this through your audio system to get the full effect that will have you jumping out of your skin.

28 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Subtle, Minimalist Horror. February 13, 2012

By HorrorTerry78

Format:Amazon Instant Video|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is great, quiet, character-driven horror if you dig movies like "Session 9," "The Eclipse" or the work of directors like Kiyoshi Kurosawa. It is low budget, psychological rather than explicit, and a slow burn.

If you like movies with graphic gore, T&A, movies like "Saw" or "Hostel," or anything by Rob Zombie, you will almost certainly hate this movie. It requires an adult's attention span and an appreciation for character and subtlety. Highly recommended for discerning elevated-genre fans.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A slow burner that's well worth it February 12, 2012

By M. Turman

Format:Amazon Instant Video

Dread Central have been hyping this film up for a while and when I saw it available from Amazon-On-Demand I decided to give it a shot. I don't mind low budget films as long as the acting is good and the story is solid. I was not disappointed in the least with this one. The slow build of the story and minimal effects were handled excellently and combined to make a very unique and pleasurable experience. Highly reccomended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Exceeded My Expectations October 25, 2012

By Pancakefrompele

Format:DVD

I watched this movie on Netflix. The cover art reminded me of the ending of Quarantine, so I skipped past it time and time again. I finally decided to watch it tonight, and I was literally blown away. First and foremost, it is a slow burner, not action-packed. It builds tension gently and creepily, especially when the protagonist begins to see visions of her missing ex-husband. What really takes this movie over the top is the acting. I was amazed at how talented the entire cast was in making a strange tale so believable. Part of what I think really appealed to me -- and made my skin crawl -- was the setting. I used to live in San Diego, and the tunnel featured in this film was familiar, reminding me of my own experiences walking past homeless men and women, holding my breath until I arrived at the other end. The tone of the movie also reminded me of a 90s movie called "Urbania." If you are into "creepy" rather than "scary" movies, this one might appeal to you.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sometimes, They Come Back... Sort Of... April 20, 2013

By Bindy Sue Frřnkünschtein TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:DVD

At first, I thought ABSENTIA was another ghost story. It has a missing husband -presumed dead after seven years- who keeps appearing in spectral form to his wife. Then, the story shifts drastically, changing into a monster movie. For a low-low-budget film, ABSENTIA is superb. I enjoyed the realistic bond, full of pain as well as joy, between the two sisters. They are the bright heart of this otherwise dread-packed tale of unknown menace and supernatural / trans-dimensional abduction. The story itself is dark, foreboding, and bizarre. Highly recommended...

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Surprised Me April 6, 2013

By SET67

Format:DVD

I had never heard of this movie and watched it tonight. It was creepy throughout and kept you guessing, up until the very end. Not gory, just a continously creepy atmosphere. Highly recommend!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars a fine piece of Horror December 10, 2012

By Sandro

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

It never seizes to amaze me how small independent films on a shoestring budget can create much more tension and more atmosphere than many multi-million dollar Hollywood flicks...and this film is a good example. A very realisitic human drama at it's core, this movie offers a different explanation why and how many people disappear (and sometimes reappear) around the world on a daily basis. A tunnel and something living beneath it's walls seem to have something to do with it, now that triggers the imagination! The filmmakers seem to have remembered an often neglected truth: it's what you don't see that can scare the hell out of you.. and it's the things that remain unexplained that will stay on your mind long after the credits have rolled. Definitely recommended