Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

The Invisible Man Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman May 20, 2020

In a movie landscape where excellence is rare and surprise is practically nonexistent, particularly when words like “remake” or “re-imagining” or even “Horror” are concerned, it’s a treat to discover a movie like The Invisible Man, a film that at least recent history says should be dead on arrival but, it turns out, is anything but. Written for the screen and directed by Leigh Whannell (Insidious: Chapter 3, Upgrade) with its concept borrowed from the original novel penned by H.G. Wells, The Invisible Man makes for a surprisingly excellent film built around the double-edged sword of physical and psychological terror and manipulation, centered around the story of a young woman who escapes from an abusive relationship only to find herself the victim of relentless stalking by an invisible perpetrator.

Quietly escaping.

Cecilia (Elisabeth Moss) cautiously sneaks out of a luxury seaside home, obviously implementing a longstanding plan of escape. She barely escapes her abusive boyfriend Adrian’s (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) grasp. For two weeks she secretly hides out with her lifelong friend James (Aldis Hodge) and his daughter Sydney (Storm Reid). She remains terrified of leaving his home, physically unable and emotionally unwilling to even step outside to check the mail. But everything changes when she learns that Adrian is dead from an apparent suicide. As Cecilia finally settles into a newfound comfort born of peace and relief, she experiences tangible, unimaginable, and impossible terror when she believes that an invisible figure has invaded her bedroom, toying with her at every opportunity. Suddenly, her life collapses again, suffering from physical and emotional breakdowns not of her own doing. She begins to piece together the truth that Adrian may not be dead after all but has instead found a way to make himself invisible. As Cecilia’s life crumbles, as friends and family become targets, as those closest to her turn away, she will have to face her fears and confront a face she can no longer see but that cannot escape her mind’s eye.

The Invisible Man takes its time paint the psychological picture of its character. The audience never sees the story behind Cecilia's flight from Adrian, and it doesn't have to. She wears the figurative scars on her sleeve. That she is psychologically wounded is apparent, but so too is it apparent that she is in full command of her wits and senses as she escapes from Adrian, a vital narrative component for the audience to believe that, later on, she is indeed being stalked by an unseen adversary. But the depth of her emotional trauma also leaves open the possibility that she's imagining the entire thing, that her pain is so much a part of her that she cannot let it go, even as news of Adrian's death supposedly releases her from that life-defining chapter of terror. Whether Whannell makes an invisible Adrian a real boogeyman or whether it's all in his heroine's mind is for the movie to answer, but either way the film works through smartly shaped character depth that almost makes the answer irrelevant, in some ways; it's Cecilia's psyche that is center stage throughout the film, and it's the mind's exposure and evolution that make the movie work so well, regardless of what is driving and shaping it, real or imagined.

And it is thanks to Moss' inwardly expressive and outwardly terrified work as Cecilia that it all comes together so well. Cetainly Whannell proves himself more than a capable storyteller and filmmaker but The Invisible Man elevates courtesy of Moss' carefully considered and fully inhabited work as the psychologically distressed, emotionally tormented, and physically hunted Cecilia. Her journey is powerful even as the narrative surrounding her story is simple. Moss emotes a tangible sense of fear and panic which becomes a tangible need for resolution, partly driven by psychological necessity and partly by a justified thirst for revenge. She builds a resoluteness to see the situation through, even as her life is all but upended, and seemingly permanently at that. In support, Whannell builds first-class atmosphere, works in several legitimate scares, and introduces a few quality twists to keep the suspense rolling and the film proper flowing with purpose and immersion. It may not be a classic but it's certainly a quality film in every way. Well done.

The Invisible Man Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Invisible Man reveals itself on Blu-ray with a high quality 1080p transfer. The digitally sourced image is quite attractive on the aging format, delivering most everything in near perfect condition. Detailing is absolutely precise from beginning to end, even in the many lower light shots that are prevalent throughout the film, especially early on as Cecilia makes her escape. Low light is of little matter to facial features, for instance, which do find improved clarity and intimacy in more naturally or well-lit environments, these scenes pushing the format towards the end of its capabilities. Even in dim lighting, though, faces are fine and environmental details hold sharp, too. Color reproduction is also excellent, again with advantage to well-lit scenes versus dim or dark locales. Primaries pop when given the opportunity and the less dramatic tones fine neutral density and contrast throughout. Skin tones appear accurate throughout the film. Nighttime black levels are a little light and noisy as seen around the 11-minute mark as the opening sequence comes to an end, but blacks do improve later on; see the 50-minute mark for a nighttime exterior shot that holds much deeper and more authentic. Slight banding also appears in places, such as at the 39:15 mark which is probably the most egregiously offending example, but these are generally minor inconveniences in a larger whole of visual excellence.

The Invisible Man Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Invisible Man features a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. The opening sequence positively sets the mood for the rest of the track, delivering a powerful series of waves rushing rear to front through the stage, crashing on a rocky place further forward. As the scene shifts inside a home, the aquatic power is heard at distance, full and wonderfully detailed, organic in movement and not lacking in proper power for its location. The track offers several intense effects throughout that each yield superb definition and depth, including a handful of gunshots heard later in the film. Music enjoys superb clarity. It's energetic, intense, spread fully along the front and folding in hearty, immersive rear channel support. In chapter 12 at the 79 minute mark, there's a sense of hard-edged musical movement around the listener, one of the many high score points from throughout the film. Discrete overhead use does not come regularly, but a few good examples of note are in evidence, including heavy falling rain in the third act that not only envelops the listener but seems to pour from above. Less intense atmospherics are finely integrated, too, always drawing the listener into any and every locale. Dialogue is clear and well defined from its natural front-center home.

The Invisible Man Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of The Invisible Man includes deleted scenes, featurettes, and an audio commentary track. A DVD copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code are included with purchase. This release ships with an embossed slipcover.

• Deleted Scenes (1080p, 13:24 total runtime): Included are Annie, Changing Room Montage, Blow It Up. Make It Rain. Out to Sea., Daisies, Where's My Phone?, Butt Chug, There's Someone Sitting In That Chair, I Can Do This, and Insanity Defense.
• Moss Manifested (1080p, 3:54): A look at protagonist characterization and Moss' performance at the dramatic and physical levels.
• Director's Journal with Leigh Whannell (1080p, 10:51): Whannell shares his love for the Horror genre and the opportunities inherent in the original source material. The piece also includes a collection of behind-the-scenes footage that opens up a few interesting bits from the making of the film.
• The Players (1080p, 5:24): A closer look at the ensemble cast and the characters portrayed.
• Timeless Terror (1080p, 3:04): Leigh Whannell discusses the story's updating without bowing fully to its predecessors, the story's victim perspective, his writing process, and more.
• Audio Commentary: Writer/Director Leigh Whannell offers a sharp, insightful track that covers narrative and technical aspects alike. It's a fine companion to the film.

The Invisible Man Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Invisible Man may not reinvent the proverbial wheel, but it does just about everything right. It's legitimately atmospheric, smartly written with purpose and characterization in mind, the lead performance it terrific, and there's a fine balance between physical and psychological terror. With this and Upgrade, Leigh Whannell is quickly positioning himself as one of the best Sci-Fi/Horror filmmakers of the day. Universal's Blu-ray is terrific, delivering first-rate video and audio presentations as well as fair assortment of extra content. Highly recommended.