Last Saturday night, I went and watched “The Invisible Man” starring Elizabeth Moss, most well known for her role in “The Handmaid’s Tale.” It was a very enjoyable two hours full of twists and turns. The film follows the story of a woman who leaves her very controlling boyfriend, who then kills himself but seemingly is still around to haunt her.
Director Leigh Wannell puts on a solid performance for his third movie, combining unique camera moves with steady long takes that build the tension of trying to see something that isn’t there to be seen. Wannell also wrote the screenplay and story for this contemporary telling of a classic paranormal thriller.
Elizabeth Moss puts on a masterful performance in her role as Cecelia Kass. Moss’s performance, along with Wannell’s direction, allows the audience to feel for her as she slowly seems to descend into near madness trying to explain her troubles, which she believes is being caused by an invisible man. From times portraying an agoraphobic woman to crying at her own helplessness, Moss delivers a range of emotions that leaves the audience guessing and wondering what will happen next.
A standout for me was an actor I have enjoyed in many of the things he has been in, Aldis Hodge. Hodge was a core anchor in the film as James Lanier, cop buddy of Cecelia Kass. Hodge provided comic relief but also increased the tension with dramatic precision in moments critical to the progression of the plot. The relationship between the two characters was instrumental with the flow of the film, though not within a sexual relationship like most films would have.
The film’s suspense comes from the growing of the stakes. As the climax builds, the more unexpected starts to happen. The plot got to a point where my jaw was completely dropped for a good 10 minutes. It is very rare for a movie to create a moment of silence in a packed theater, but that is a testament to how well structured “The Invisible Man” is.
The ending was one that also left mixed reviews among those in the theater.
“I liked the ending,” Dierra Salyer said. “I thought it was good but a little odd.”
“I hated the ending,” DaJour Ware said. “I thought the ending was trash.”
While the ending divided some of the moviegoers, there was no doubt that the film had people talking and debating about it as they left the theater, and that is suspense well crafted.
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