The Invisible Man

Movie Name: The Invisible Man
Year of Release: 2020
Director: Leigh Whannell
Starring: Elisabeth Moss, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Harriet Dyer, Aldis Hodge, Storm Reid, Michael Dorman, Benedict Hardie, Brian Meegan, Renee Lim, Cleave Williams
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7
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Synopsis and Review:

The underrated and talented Leigh Whannell continues his steady career, of providing interesting approaches to genres that can at times seem repetitive in its formulas. After directing "Insidious: Chapter 3" (a series he wrote and has guided from the beginning) and the entertaining "Upgrade", the director has tackled and gone for an interesting approach to H.G. Wells "The Invisible Man" novel. This take focuses on the story of Cecilia Kass, a young woman whom we witness at the beginning of the narrative, scarily fleeing a house, which we soon discover belongs to her abusive and controlling boyfriend, Adrian. Cecilia, with the help of her sister, manages to escape Adrian's abuse, and she soon finds solace in the house of a friend, Detective James Lanier. A few weeks after Cecilia's escape, she is informed that Adrian has committed suicide and has left her 5 million dollars from his trust fund. As her life resumes, she starts noticing strange occurrences happening right in front of her, without much logical explanation, including James's daughter getting slapped in front of her, and Cecilia fainting during a job interview, as a result of intaking the same drug she used to escape Adrian's torment. Cecilia suspects Adrian faked his own death, and has devised a way to become invisible using his knowledge of fringe technology, something that no one believes. That is, until the violence escalates, with dramatic outcomes, forcing Cecilia to find inner strength to uncover what is taking place, and to escape from the dark scenario in which she currently is.

"The Invisible Man" manages to take H.G. Wells original novel, of a scientist plagued by an accidental discovery that renders him invisible, and the trail of bodies he leaves as a direct result of wanting to find a cure for it. Leigh Whannell, who is also responsible for the "Saw" series, manages to smartly move away from the perspective of the Invisible Man, and places the victim of his attention, as the narrator and central figure for this film. In pivoting the focus of the action to Cecilia, Whannell manages to simultaneously build a narrative that not only showcases the anguish of living in violent and abusive household, but how victims find the inner strength and resources to overcome those challenges. It's also an opportunity to even question the sanity of the central character, something that is cleverly peppered throughout the film. The director smartly avoids providing too many visual cues about what is happening, but as the story unfolds, he manages to provide a third act, that not only showcases an apt justification for the events, but also demonstrates the journey Cecilia has gone on. The film is a great showcase for the consistently great Elisabeth Moss, who is simultaneously fearful, resourceful and finally vengeful. The cinematography from Stefan Duscio, is impeccable, building a tone that is dark and cold, almost futuristic. An entertaining and fresh take on a classic story, from a very interesting film maker.