This movie largely succeeds, despite giving away its premise from the start, as both a nail-biting dramatic thriller and poignant social commentary on unhealthy relationship dynamics. Does it have plot holes? Yes. Do they spoil the movie to the extent some reviews are suggesting? Not unless you are uncommonly cynical and picky.
This is not an HG Wells Invisible man. I've read the book, and this is not it.
I was skeptical that a rather worn horror/thriller trope could yield fresh frights, and while I don't think the scares are all incredibly original, the film does what it sets out to do. It was infuriating to constantly know that a jump-scare was looming on the horizon, yet still feel jolted in that disconcerting way that makes jump-scares an enduring staple of the genre. I want to complain that the sparse soundtrack and tired inception "booj" effects were unfairly wielded or that the timid, slow-pan camera was applied too often, but honestly, it worked. I could have done with less predictability in the sound design, however. I was scared, despite myself. I was thrilled. And isn't that what thrillers are supposed to do? It kept me on the edge of the seat.
Acting was solid, with the lead giving a praiseworthy performance of a harried, mentally unstable victim, whose mannerisms and appearance gradually deteriorate into convincing madness. Her character is believable in ways that Barbieesque horror girls often are not. She possesses an every-woman charisma reminiscent of the first Halloween movie, or Drew Barrymore's Scream opener, seems impossibly average, and the audience is both compelled to empathize and also dared to question her sanity, so that the plot manages to leave a few questions to be answered until the closer (and perhaps even after). It's not a cliffhanger or a I-didn't-see-that-coming movie, but it's still satisfying.
If you like a good thriller, see it.
If you like a good psychological thriller, see it.
If you like fast-paced thrillers, maybe pass on this one.
If you nitpick plot holes, go suck on a lemon and frown at the mirror, or stretch your imagination and enjoy this simple, but entertaining, ride.
It's worth the price of admission.
(I made it all the way through with no "invisible" puns, and I'm quite proud of myself)
