PopHorror Let's Get Scared
The Invisible Man is a 2020 psychological horror-thriller written and directed by Leigh Whannell. A modern reimagining of H.G. Wells’ 1897 novel, the film presents a fresh and terrifying take on the classic Universal Monster character.
Whannell aimed to immerse the audience directly into the protagonist’s harrowing experience, explaining:
“I wanted to just drop the audience into Cecilia’s situation without any back story and make them feel everything through her, and luckily I had Elisabeth Moss who is very good at communicating a lot to the audience without saying anything.”
What The Invisible Man Is About
The story follows Cecilia Kass (Elisabeth Moss), a woman trapped in an abusive relationship with Adrian Griffin (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), a wealthy and controlling scientist. Desperate to escape, she flees from his mansion in the dead of night. Soon after, she learns that Adrian has died by suicide—only to start experiencing eerie, unexplainable events.
As Cecilia becomes convinced that Adrian is still alive and using his expertise in optics to make himself invisible, her fear and paranoia grow. Those around her begin to question her sanity, further isolating her in a nightmarish battle for survival. The film masterfully builds tension, turning Cecilia’s terror into the audience’s own.
Gaslighting & Domestic Abuse
At its core, The Invisible Man uses invisibility as a metaphor for the insidious nature of abuse. Cecilia’s experiences reflect real-life gaslighting tactics where victims are manipulated into questioning their own reality. A TIME article highlights the horror’s basis in real-world abuse, with Whannell recounting one chilling example of real abuse he researched:
“In one story, a woman’s partner put a lock on the fridge to control when she could eat.”
Inspired partly by such real-life examples, the film powerfully conveys how abusers can make their victims feel powerless, artificially dependent, unseen and unheard, even in plain sight.
Psychological Horror Over Jump Scares
Unlike traditional horror films that rely on jump scares, The Invisible Man builds dread through tension, paranoia, and suspense. Whannell masterfully uses empty space and silence to create an overwhelming sense of unease, reminiscent of Emily Dickinson’s poem, “I Felt a Funeral in My Brain” — a chilling exploration of mental descent and isolation.
A Minimalist Sci-Fi Approach
Unlike previous adaptations where invisibility was achieved through a scientific potion, Adrian’s invisibility in this version is rooted in advanced optical technology. This modern twist makes the horror feel more grounded and believable, adding a layer of realism that enhances the film’s psychological impact.
Critics and audiences alike praised Elisabeth Moss’s gripping performance, calling it one of her best. Her portrayal of Cecilia’s terror and resilience added depth to the film, making her struggle all the more harrowing and relatable.
Financially, The Invisible Man was a massive success, grossing over $144 million on a modest $7 million budget. Its triumph revived Universal’s attempts at rebooting their classic monster movies, especially after the failure of The Mummy (2017), which had aimed to launch the ill-fated Dark Universe.
Due to its success, a spin-off and sequel are reportedly in development, ensuring that The Invisible Man will continue to haunt audiences for years to come.
Final Thoughts
By blending psychological horror with real-world themes of abuse and control, The Invisible Man delivers a gripping and timely thriller. Whannell’s direction, Moss’s exceptional performance, and the film’s grounded take on sci-fi horror combine to create a truly unforgettable cinematic experience. This film is more than just a monster movie… it’s a chilling reflection of the often-unseen horrors that exist in everyday life. The film also stars Aldis Hodge, Storm Reid, Harriet Dyer, and Michael Dorman.
