The Invisible Man (2020)

Abusive relationships have taken form in myriad ways on screen. Many films opt for a purely dramatic look at the emotional turmoil the victims of the situations face. Some choose to focus on the horror of feeling trapped within the cycle of abuse. The Invisible Man is all about control; more importantly, the lengths someone will go to exact that control over someone else. Cecilia Kass (Elizabeth Moss) is trying to escape her abusive boyfriend Adrian (Oliver Jackson- Cohen) from the very first frame of the film, and she doesn't stop till the credits roll. Even after her abuser is presumed dead by suicide, Cecilia still believes he is controlling her posthumously. Cecilia continues to become more convinced of Adrian's control and even that he may have faked his death. As she spirals downwards, her friends and family begin to suspect she may be losing her grip on reality.

Elizabeth Moss portrays the absolute despair Cecila is going through so acutely. There's a compelling physicality to the performance that makes Cecilia appear incredibly weak and damaged even in silence. Early in the first act, there is a moment of hope and joy, and Moss postures herself a little less slouched, but her body language indicates a tinge of fear, like a rescued pet still warming up to new owners. This performance and a robust supporting cast take a script that in the wrong hands could feel cheap like some of the other tentpole projects from Blumhouse Productions.

The mark that a studio like Blumhouse is making in the entertainment industry is significant. Their success comes from the ability to take small budgets and turn them into substantial box office returns. The Invisible Man, for example, cost only 7 million dollars and has already generated 120 million in the box office worldwide. This film is a step up from the vast majority of jump-scare filled thrill rides the studio typically pumps out at a constant rate. The studio now has garnered the reputation to get big names and talented creative minds involved in their projects. If Blumhouse can continue to make quality entertainment like The Invisible Man, it will be a better world for movie lovers everywhere.

This movie is not poised to be a critical success or catch any attention from the crowd that likes to deem things as "true cinema." The Invisible Man is all about keeping the audience engaged at all times in the most efficient way possible. There is no moment that you have to think deeply on the ideas being presented to you. Things happen, and you watch. This is not to suggest what you are being shown is not without intention. The camera tells a lot of this story all on its own. Wide shots with lots of empty space force the viewer to scan the image for any indication something or someone may be lurking in plain sight. The use of CGI is excellent, especially in the subtle moments. Nothing looks expensive or super intricate but it never feels cheap either. There aren't a whole lot of jump-scares which keeps the energy more in line with a thriller rather than the modern horror archetype.

For a concept as seemingly ridiculous as an invisible man haunting his ex-girlfriend, this movie keeps things very grounded. It never loses itself in trying to be more than it is. The story about an abusive relationship is a powerful one many people will be able to connect with, and the challenge of defeating an enemy you can't see is consistently entertaining. Elizabeth Moss continues to show dedication to every project she is a part of. The Invisible Man is a straightforward watch that doesn't demand much from its audience.