The Invisible Man
What’s hip right now in the horror film world? 1) Making a major societal statement through frightening images, and 2) bringing old stories back from the dead (zombie style, but not solely zombies). James Wan alumni Leigh Whannell has been granted the opportunity to revive the tales of The Invisible Man, created by author H. G. Wells (and famously turned into a series of works beginning in the ‘30s). In 2020, he has turned the iconic tale into a current spin on gaslighting in a toxic relationship, and for that I must thank him. From the very start, you feel as though you are without room to breath: exactly how Cecilia Kass (played by Elizabeth Moss) feels. Her boyfriend — millionaire scientist Adrian (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) — is blatantly a terrible person, as he chases after her in an effort to abuse her. You understand her predicament in seconds. We need not hear any more before we proceed.
And proceed Whannell does. The Invisible Man becomes the revenge plot of Adrian, wanting to give his ex-girlfriend her comeuppance for standing up to him. In return, the actual hero’s tale here is how Cecelia is trying to stop Adrian from succeeding, and ultimately serving him his own revenge as well. It’s a battle between acidic abuser and a voice being silenced by society. For much of the film’s runtime, we have one hell of a relevant metaphor on display here: a community deeming a lone voice as crazy, only because no one is willing to hear her out in full.
Elizabeth Moss steals the entire film with her raw performance.
If Elizabeth Moss isn’t carrying the entire film, then it’s another contributing factor, say Benjamin Wallfisch’s score, or the clever uses of long still shots to instil a lack of comfort (the invisible man could be anywhere). However, let’s be honest. This is absolutely Moss’s show, and she runs with The Invisible Man the entire time. She pulls off the character perfectly, because you understand her actual fears, but can also see how society thinks she has lost her mind. It’s a shame that The Invisible Man relies on the occasional hyper-convenience, which dulls the entire film and its poignant message.
SPOILERS
I mean moments that suck you out of the film because of the lack of logic behind some plot threads (we know Adrian is toxic and a manipulator, so why does everyone believe his brother orchestrated his “kidnapping” and refuse to continue the case any further? Does the suit give super strength, or are both Griffin brothers stupidly strong?
END OF SPOILERS
I guess we can only imagine what The Invisible Man could have been like had it been refined (especially considering that explosive ending, which redeems all of the late-game flaws). It’s a neat take with some oomph, at least.
Andreas Babiolakis has a Masters degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections management from Ryerson University, as well as a Bachelors degree in Cinema Studies from York University. His favourite times of year are the Criterion Collection flash sales and the annual Toronto International Film Festival.