“The Invisible Man” Review by Stephanie Chapman : Pop Culture Leftovers

“The Invisible Man” Review by Stephanie Chapman

March 29, 2020 2:35 pm |

**SPOILERS**

Throw all of your preconceived notions out of the window. Everything you think you already know about this film from the trailer is of low importance compared to the superb performance given by Elisabeth Moss in this film.

Directed and written by Leigh Whannell, this film provides the audience with so much more than the surface level thrills and fear promised in the trailer. Elisabeth Moss is magnificent, as she plays the part of “Cecilia Kass” in this high intensity, edge of your seat, thrilling, gas lighting roller coaster. “Cecilia” has recently left an abusive relationship with a brilliant tech entrepreneur who appears to have committed suicide. However, as she slowly tries to gain a sense of normalcy after living in constant fear she begins to experience torment and mental abuse by an invisible being that she believes to be her decreased boyfriend.

Elisabeth is joined by a strong supporting cast; Cecilia’s sister “Emily” (played by Harriet Dyer) and close friend “James” (played by Aldis Hodge) provide a strong support system for “Cecilia” as she works to regain her confidence. That is slowly stripped away as she is continuously blamed for strange occurrences and acts of violence against those she loves the most.

What Elisabeth does so brilliantly in this film is display anguish and torment during those intense moments without dialogue. She brings the audience to a place of pain and fear as they go through this torment with her character and experience the madness and mental strain gas lighting can produce. As she pleads with those she loves to believe her experiences, the audience can sympathize with her all while understanding why others do not believe her.

The absence of a physical villain for most of the movie plays to the talented director of this film and the cast’s ability to provide real fear and horror around something only one of the characters believe exists. When the villain is finally revealed the mental torture continues and feels even more sinister.

It is not often that a film comes along that makes you feel the mental anguish experienced by the central character. “The Invisible Man” does that and more!

PCL Rating: Tupperware

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: FRESH