The Invisible Man is an excellent movie, horror at its best. The Invisible Man was written and directed by Leigh Whannell, the same person who directed and wrote Upgrade. He is just an excellent writer director. He has a few more exciting things coming and I will probably watch them all. He has proven himself.
For a movie written and directed by a man, and which is loosely based on a book written by a man ("The Invisible Man" by H. G. Wells, 1897) it is a very feminist movie. It deals with abusive, manipulative and devastating relationships, and how abused women are not heard and treated as insane or hysteric. That was more horrifying then the horror parts of the movie. Although it did had pretty good horror in it, and no cheap jump scares. But it did had one jump scare that will stay with me forever. It was just a really good horror movie.
This movie also has some great acting. Elisabeth Moss who plays
Cecilia, our main character, basically carries the entire movie on her shoulders. She gets great assistance from a great script. She has common sense. That is really rare in a horror movie. Common sense is marred by some pretty intense PTSD, but it is still common sense. Moss acting is so great, subtle and yet intense that you can read the emotions on her face, her physical reactions are spot on, and she is just superb in this movie. Everyone else does their best, but it is hard to compare as Moss is the only one with a significant role. Oliver Jackson-Cohen does his best as creepy stalker boyfriend Adrian Griffin. Harriet Dyer is ok as Cecilia's only occasionally understanding sister. Aldis Hodge is James Lanier, a nice police detective who lets Cecilia stay with him and his daughter Sydney, who is played by Storm Reid. Almost everyone does their best acting work.
Everyone are assisted by an amazing script and visuals. The movie starts off with Cecilia running away from her abusing boyfriend's house. She drugged him and runs out. Considering the amount of security and high walls surrounding him house, you can instantly tell that this guy is a different level of crazy. Her sister comes to pick her up, but she's a bit late. Causing Adrian to almost catch up with them. He breaks the window of the car with his punch. Yeah, he is a little too physically strong in this movie. Cecilia moves in with the detective and forbids her sister to make any contact with her because Adrian knows where she lives. It is clear that Cecilia has serious PTSD. She refuses to leave the house, she is jumpy, and scared. Despite all of her precautions she gets a letter from a lawyer telling her that Adrian is dead and that in his inheritance he has left her 5 million dollars. Even though there are no strings attached, there are people attached. Soon Cecilia feels like Adrian is still alive and following her. It is just little things that makes everyone think that she is crazy. Keep your eye open and stay focused. These are very gentle visuals choices that are hard to spot. Visually this movie is just brilliant. The plot doesn't escalates too quickly. People are not stupid. Mostly. And there are a few shocking twists and turns. It is just great.
Sure this movie isn't typical supernatural or slasher horror, but it is a lot of fun. Also, yeah, this movie should come with every trigger warning possible for abusive relationship content, so it might be too much for sensible people. But for the majority of people it is a really well-crafted horror movie.
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