Leigh Whannell, known for creating a small but yet effective sci-fi film Upgrade, takes the left-over of a failed cinematic universe and turns it into one of the most intense psychological thrillers I have seen in years.
After escaping from her abusive husband Adrian, Cecilia struggles to adjust having her freedom knowing that one day he will find her. And while his apparent suicide may seem good news for her, Cecilia realises soon after strange things start happening her still-living ex has invented an invisibility suit to do one thing: torment her life even more than before.
While it is technically another remake of a 1930's horror icon, Leigh Whannell's reboot has more in common in with this generation's social horror thrillers like Black Mirror and Jordan Peele's Us and Get Out. Whannell uses the story of a woman being stalked and gaslighted by her invisible ex-spouse to explore the real-life horror stories that were revealed during #MeToo from victimized and abused woman. While we don't actually see what her toxic relationship with Adrian was like before she left, the story makes sure that we as the audience never question what Cecilla actually believes but to morally question everyone else choosing not to believe her even if the idea of an invisible man sounds crazy. By limiting the actual screen time of the Invisible Man's visible form of Adrian played creepily by Haunting of Hill House's Oliver Jackson Harper, Whannell makes sure that we focus on how damaged and hurt his victim is rather than relate to the title character himself. The story establishes very early on that Adrian's invisibility is not what makes him a monster but his cruel mind games on Cecilia that he feels is justified in his own sick way.
Whannell knows in order to make a movie about an unseen assailant scary is to not rely on visuals. Long, drawn-out scenes with no score but with incredible sound design sets in the dreadful atmosphere. Stefan Duscio's cinematography weaponizes wide shots of empty corners, hallways and rooms to show how isolated and vulnerable Cecilia is while making you as audience feel paranoid if Adrian is listening and watching. And once the Invisible man does strike, Whannel crafts his attack sequence in very raw and physically brutal ways to reflect the horror of abusive relationships. Even when we visibly see Adrian wearing the suit that makes him becomes the titled villain, the tech-based design gives off a surprising creepy Lovecraftian feel. Once the score made by Blade Runner 2049's Benjamin Wallfisch does kick in, the mixture of classic orchestral music to loud jarring electronic beats makes the scenes feel even more intense and dreadful then they already are.
But what sells the cruelty and terror of the Invisible Man is Elizabeth Moss's amazing performance. The small moments of her joy and happiness she has with her friends and family show what Cecilia's life could be like if she didn't have Adrian controlling it. But once Adrian goes full invisible, Moss makes you feel what is it like to be a victim who feels trapped and hopeless. From her just starring at what appears to be nothing or talking to empty space, we buy that her character is both terrified yet also frustrated with being used or ignored by others. Moss's grounded acting helps keep the movie's premise from going too far into a campy slasher film.
The collaboration of Elizabbeth Moss as a performer and Leigh Whannell in the director chair make this modern-day reincarnation of The Invisible Man a true horror masterpiece.
After escaping from her abusive husband Adrian, Cecilia struggles to adjust having her freedom knowing that one day he will find her. And while his apparent suicide may seem good news for her, Cecilia realises soon after strange things start happening her still-living ex has invented an invisibility suit to do one thing: torment her life even more than before.
While it is technically another remake of a 1930's horror icon, Leigh Whannell's reboot has more in common in with this generation's social horror thrillers like Black Mirror and Jordan Peele's Us and Get Out. Whannell uses the story of a woman being stalked and gaslighted by her invisible ex-spouse to explore the real-life horror stories that were revealed during #MeToo from victimized and abused woman. While we don't actually see what her toxic relationship with Adrian was like before she left, the story makes sure that we as the audience never question what Cecilla actually believes but to morally question everyone else choosing not to believe her even if the idea of an invisible man sounds crazy. By limiting the actual screen time of the Invisible Man's visible form of Adrian played creepily by Haunting of Hill House's Oliver Jackson Harper, Whannell makes sure that we focus on how damaged and hurt his victim is rather than relate to the title character himself. The story establishes very early on that Adrian's invisibility is not what makes him a monster but his cruel mind games on Cecilia that he feels is justified in his own sick way.
Whannell knows in order to make a movie about an unseen assailant scary is to not rely on visuals. Long, drawn-out scenes with no score but with incredible sound design sets in the dreadful atmosphere. Stefan Duscio's cinematography weaponizes wide shots of empty corners, hallways and rooms to show how isolated and vulnerable Cecilia is while making you as audience feel paranoid if Adrian is listening and watching. And once the Invisible man does strike, Whannel crafts his attack sequence in very raw and physically brutal ways to reflect the horror of abusive relationships. Even when we visibly see Adrian wearing the suit that makes him becomes the titled villain, the tech-based design gives off a surprising creepy Lovecraftian feel. Once the score made by Blade Runner 2049's Benjamin Wallfisch does kick in, the mixture of classic orchestral music to loud jarring electronic beats makes the scenes feel even more intense and dreadful then they already are.
But what sells the cruelty and terror of the Invisible Man is Elizabeth Moss's amazing performance. The small moments of her joy and happiness she has with her friends and family show what Cecilia's life could be like if she didn't have Adrian controlling it. But once Adrian goes full invisible, Moss makes you feel what is it like to be a victim who feels trapped and hopeless. From her just starring at what appears to be nothing or talking to empty space, we buy that her character is both terrified yet also frustrated with being used or ignored by others. Moss's grounded acting helps keep the movie's premise from going too far into a campy slasher film.
The collaboration of Elizabbeth Moss as a performer and Leigh Whannell in the director chair make this modern-day reincarnation of The Invisible Man a true horror masterpiece.