February is usually a dreary time for the movies but the late February release The Invisible Man's fan and critical praise is a positive sign for potential horror movies released this year.
At the time of writing this article, The Invisible Man is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, sitting at a 92% on the tomatometer and 91% with fans. It's a massive improvement from Brahms: The Boy II, The Turning, The Grudge reboot and other horror movies that flopped in early 2020.
Led by a stellar Elisabeth Moss, The Invisible Man takes a new approach to its retelling of H.G. Wells' story. The story is traditionally about a man, and a version of this film was almost made with a male lead. While there is still an invisible man at the center of this story, the true focus is on his ex-girlfriend Cecilia (Moss) — whom he terrorizes.
The film follows Cecilia as she battles against a foe that no one can see, or believes exists. Taking a new spin on such a well-known tale might have been a risk, as most people know this story to be about the titular Invisible Man. But it paid off, as fans and critics alike overwhelmingly praised the movie.
Perhaps the most commonly praised element of The Invisible Man is Moss's performance. Moss is well known for roles on the wildly successful shows The Handmaid's Tale and Mad Men.
But when it comes to her leading roles on the big screen, she tends to avoid commercially successful blockbuster films. With roles like Her Smell under her belt, Moss is a bit of an indie film darling.
She honestly might be the last person audiences might expect to see in a Blumhouse film. In The Invisible Man, she gives a nuanced and meticulous performance that would be more commonly expected in her indie films. That's what creates something unexpected and special.
The Invisible Man covers the sensitive subject of domestic abuse — namely, gaslighting. Moss's Cecilia is being stalked by her abusive ex, and everyone in her life just dismisses it as paranoia from the trauma of her abusive relationship.
It makes Cecilia question her sanity. As gaslighting is something many people in abusive relationships experience, it was vital for writer and director Leigh Whannell to approach this the right way. Many critics praised the way the film broached this subject.
