The Invisible Man (2020)

A smart reimagination of the science fiction novel by H.G. Wells, "The Invisible Man" tells the story of Cecilia (Elisabeth Moss), a woman fleeing an abusive relationship with tech genius Adrian (Oliver Jackson-Cohen). After leaving their modernistic house in the middle of the night, Cecilia seeks out a safe haven with her friend James (Aldis Hodge) and his daughter Sydney (Storm Reid) and strives to return to a normal life. Just weeks after leaving him, Cecilia receives information that Adrian has committed suicide - news that should give her some peace, but still doesn't allow her to shake her trauma and an unwavering feeling that she is still being stalked by her abuser.

Elisabeth Moss in "The Invisible Man".

Depicting something or someone that cannot be seen poses an interesting challenge, and was one that contributed to the hesitation I initially felt surrounding this film. However, rather than taking the expected approach and telling this story with shots of an unaware Cecilia from invisible Adrian's perspective, "The Invisible Man" cleverly aligns its viewers with our protagonist, building uncomfortable suspense with still shots of seemingly empty rooms. While there isn't always much happening on screen in these moments, it could be argued that these are the most captivating shots, with viewers obsessively scanning the frame for a sign of where the invisible man is hiding. The film is well paced, building uneasiness and suspense with everything from the conspicuous movement of small objects on their own to the slight indentation of a cushion on a seemingly empty chair. Viewers become more and more aware of Adrian's presence, beginning to share the growing paranoia that Cecilia experiences, and her frustration as no one believes her.

Elisabeth Moss in "The Invisible Man".

Unsurprisingly, Elisabeth Moss's brilliant portrayal of Cecilia as someone who can be so terrified and so brave at the same time makes her character commanding and unforgettable. Her starting out feeling helpless but growing in strength as she confronts and relentlessly fights her abuser is arguably the film's most empowering aspect.

With a sci-fi twist, the abuse that Cecilia undergoes matches the patterns of abuse in a relationship - along with the physical harm, Adrian gaslights her, blackmails her, sabotages her advancement and isolates her from her family and friends. Aside from a few frustrating details (for example, the logic behind a knife being the first choice of weapon for someone fighting an invisible person) "The Invisible Man" is a smart and powerful horror movie that portrays the psychological trauma and terror of domestic violence in a way that remains grounded throughout and ends with an empowering flourish.

Rating: 4/5