Mike Flanagan’s directorial effort, Absentia, centers on sisters Tricia (Courtney Bell) and Callie (Katie Parker), who suspect that a nearby underpass might be connected to numerous disappearances. This slow-paced independent horror film may not appeal to all tastes, but Flanagan has created an intelligent and unsettling movie with a subtle fairy tale element woven throughout. The story unfolds quietly, although the feeling of sorrow and fear is very strong. It takes place in a rundown part of Los Angeles, where the sisters are warned to keep their doors locked, and the threatening underpass appears frequently. Flanagan tells his story within this urban environment, presenting characters who are burdened by unseen forces or personal struggles—Tricia’s husband vanished seven years prior, and Callie is battling drug addiction. Jump scares are scarce; Flanagan prefers to build a sense of dread, playing with the sisters and the audience in suggesting that something genuinely terrible might be hidden just beyond view. This isn't a monster movie like The Relic or Mimic; it’s a different kind of horror film altogether. The terrors arise from what remains unseen or is only briefly noticed, similar to classic horror stories, with Flanagan deliberately including uncertainty. It’s disturbing and melancholic, unsettling yet clever, and a welcome change for those who are weary of horror films reliant on elaborate special effects. If you appreciate the gradual buildup where subtlety is key, combined with well-developed characters, then it's worth checking out. 8/10

Source on TMDB