The Invisible Man (2020) — A Review

1st May, 2020.

It has to be said, it’s not often I watch a movie, these days.

Why?

I wish I knew for sure.

The length of some films, though?

Is something I find intimidating.

I’d not be sitting through episodes of Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings, again.

Three hours a pop is a bit much.

Perils of ageing, I think.

At any rate … ?

I’ve seen a movie: the 2020, Leigh Whannell directed, Elisabeth Moss film, The Invisible Man.

Which is just over two hours long, in case you wondered.

Hmmmm … 

~≈¥≈~

The Invisible Man opens by showing us Cecilia Kass (Elisabeth Moss) waking up next to her partner, Adrian (Oliver Jackson-Cohen): at an early hour of the morning.

And — after drugging him with diazepam — making her escape from what we soon learn is an extremely abusive relationship.

One that forces her to hide out with  childhood friend, and working detective, James (Aldis Hodge), being taken there by her sister, Emily (Harriet Dyer) … 

Two weeks after Cecilia has escaped?

Two weeks after her escape, Cecilia gets a visit from Emily.

It seems Adrian … ?   Has taken his own life: and has left Cecilia a lot of money.

Providing she behaves herself, and doesn’t go mad.

That, of course?

Is when the trouble starts.

Cecilia starts seeing things that aren’t there … 

~≈¥≈~

Now … 

First things first, a quick bit of information if you’ve never read one of my movie reviews.

I’ve got a rating system for movies I’ve seen.

From zero stars (☆☆☆☆) at the bottom.   Avoid these like the Corona virus.

To four stars (★★★★) at the top.   Go get a copy, now.

More on that, at the end of the post.

I mention that because you’ll be expecting me to let you know how I think The Invisible Man has done.

Has it impressed me?   Lived up to its expectations?

Left searing, indelible, marks across my cranium, and hammered its story into my living brain, with force, energy and joy … ?

Not necessarily.

I’m not going to tell you The Invisible Man is a bad film.

It’s not: it’s good.

For a start, it’s got a very strong central performance from Elizabeth Moss: and equally strong supporting performances from Hodge, Dyer and Michael Dorman*, as Cecily’s lawyer brother-in-law, Tom.

The effects?   Are good.   The writing … ?   Strong.

I can’t object to the story in on the grounds of authenticity, either.

The last film I tried watching was the 2017 Italian remake of Re-Animator.   Which, despite having H. P. Lovecraft’s name on the poster, really didn’t have much to do with the Lovecraft story.

I can’t fault The Invisible Man, there: it’s not claiming to be the Wells story.

Where The Invisible Man possibly falls down?

Is that the film seems change direction half way through.

The Invisible Man starts — seemingly — as  a psychological horror: somewhere between The Babadook and Candyman.   Something that’s slow paced, and not telling us if it’s antagonist is real … or just a bunch of seat cushions … 

But finishes … as an action driven revenge drama … 

OK … a nicely done action driven revenge drama … but one that started differently.

I have to say, this 2020 version of The Invisible Man is well told, well made, well performed, and an interesting take on the idea … 

But does have a a clunky gear change in the middle.

Bear that in mind …

The Invisible Man.

★★☆☆

*        I’d last seen Michael Dorman in the AppleTV+ series, For All Mankind.