Originally planned as part of Universal's "Dark Universe" of monster movies,
The Invisible Man was set to star Johnny Depp in the title role. However, the critical and commercial failure of 2017's
The Mummy led to a huge change of plans, and it's now
Saw writer Leigh Whannell who has been tasked with rebooting the property. The filmmaker has spent years working in the world of horror - his directorial debut was
Insidious: Chapter 3 in 2015 - and that clearly paid off for this thrilling, terrifying new take on the classic property.
Starring Elizabeth Moss (
The Handmaid's Tale) as Cecilia Kass, a woman who manages to escape an abusive and controlling boyfriend, this version of
The Invisible Man sees her tormented by her vengeful ex, and what follows is a fascinating and impactful look at the ramifications a relationship like that can have. Without getting into specifics, Cecilia is forced to question her own sanity as things start to escalate, and this is a film that never lets up. The tension builds at a steady pace before reaching a climax that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Part thriller, and part horror, this new take is definitely scary, and Whannell (who also penned the screenplay) delivers plenty of great jump scares along the way.
The film makes sure to take full advantage of its undeniably intriguing premise, with plenty of unique visuals and twisted moments which will definitely stick with you. Benjamin Wallfisch's powerful and foreboding score perfectly compliments what we're seeing on screen, while Whannell has firmly established himself as a filmmaker who is going to continue making a huge impact in future both in this genre, and others.
Moss' work here is fantastic, and the actress remains one of the most exciting and talented stars in Hollywood today. She takes Cecilia through a wide range of emotions, but ensures she's always a compelling, likeable presence who it's easy to root for. Aldis Hodge is another standout as an old friend of Cecilia's, and Storm Reid and Oliver Jackson-Cohen make a small, but mostly memorable impact. It's Moss' movie, though, and this story wouldn't be the same with anyone else in that lead role.
While
The Invisible Man definitely has franchise potential, it was the right decision to make this film its own thing and not try to shoehorn it into any sort of "shared universe." With a realistic overhaul, but scares you would expect - and hope for - from any great horror movie, it's hard to find fault with this film, and the huge twists and turns will keep you hooked from start to finish. Ultimately, there's much more to this than a lot of other entries into the genre, and its thoughtful examination of a woman facing her worst nightmare after being trapped in an abusive relationship definitely helps it stand out from the crowd.
The first must-see horror movie of 2020, The Invisible Man is destined to be a classic, and Elizabeth Moss' incredible performance proves to be impossible to tear your eyes from.