REVIEW: ‘The Invisible Man’ starring Elisabeth Moss
Photo: Elisabeth Moss stars in The Invisible Man. Image courtesy of Think Jam / Provided with permission.
The new adaptation of The Invisible Man is a smart, intense thriller that relies heavily on the central performance of Elisabeth Moss, of Mad Men fame. She portrays a survivor of domestic abuse who no one believes is still being haunted by the invisible spirt of her husband. Of course, there’s nothing spirited about her ex; he’s alive and well, utilizing a new technology that allows him to slip into the unknown and be right behind his unsuspecting victim’s back.
There has been a lot of ink shared on The Invisible Man’s commentary in light of the #MeToo movement and the continued focus on domestic abuse and violence against women. This connection to real-world events elevates the content to an important level, offering audience members a thoughtful allegory of present times.
Moss’ character of Cecilia is seen in the opening of the movie escaping the violent clutches of her husband, played by Oliver Jackson-Cohen (Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House). She is able to survive and eventually connects with her friend, James (Aldis Hodge, City on a Hill), and his daughter, Sydney (Storm Reid, The Bravest Knight). The story is seemingly headed toward a happy and speedy conclusion, but then Cecilia begins to suspect that her husband is, in fact, not dead and has used some type of optical technology to hide himself while in her presence.
The scenes in which Moss’ character is not believed by her friends, family and the authorities are painful to sit through, but so necessary to hear. She is a victim of abuse, but doesn’t have a person in her life who believes her claims, and her stories prove to be absolutely true. So with no one to help her out, she must take matters into her own hands and discover what technology has transformed her ex-husband into the so-called invisible man.
Leigh Whannell, who wrote and directed the film, is a veteran of the horror genre, having penned scripts for Saw and Insidious. This particular feature shows a new maturity in his art form and his daring to make the scares based in reality. That proves to be far scarier than any typical ghost story or cliche cinematic monster.
Moss is excellent throughout the feature, acting a range of emotions in a variety of difficult circumstances. She is strong and resolute, but she has her moments of doubt and fear. She seeks the solace of her closest friends, only to have them turn on her and not understand the unseen obstacles she is enduring. It’s a difficult, complex part, but Moss is able to bring Cecilia to authentic life.
Hodge is quite good as well as Cecilia’s friend and a police detective who knows the ins and outs of the investigation. He provides peace and safety when he can, but eventually he is pulled between Cecilia’s cries for help and his own daughter’s concerns. It’s a solid performance.
The Invisible Man is not perfect entertainment. A deeper look into the narrative can expose some plot holes and curious twists, but it excels more often than it trips up. And that crucial social commentary lingers for quite a while.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
The Invisible Man (2020). Written and directed by Leigh Whannell. Starring Elisabeth Moss, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Storm Reid, Aldis Hodge and Michael Dorman. Running time: 124 minutes. Rated R for some strong bloody violence and language. Rating: 
