‘The Invisible Man’: One of 2020’s Best Horror Movies is Part of a Universe

Leigh Whannell’s 2020 remake of ‘The Invisible Man’ offers a contemporary twist on H.G. Wells’s classic tale, following Cecilia, played by Elizabeth Moss, as she faces off against her abusive ex-boyfriend who uses an invisibility suit to continue tormenting her. The film, which modernizes the original story, also intriguingly connects to Whannell’s ‘Upgrade’, set 46 years later in a futuristic world.

Whannell’s films often explore “mad science” themes, linking ‘The Invisible Man’’s invisible villain to ‘Upgrade’’s AI antagonist, and even touching on the ‘Saw’ franchise’s mechanical traps. In ‘The Invisible Man’, Adrian Griffin’s (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) suit amplifies his malevolent nature, while in ‘Upgrade’, Grey Trace (Logan Marshall-Green) is controlled by a rogue AI developed by Adrian’s company, Cobalt. This connection might be subtle, but it reveals how technology in Whannell’s work often leads to corruption and control.

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‘The Invisible Man’ received praise for its blend of sci-fi thrills and psychological tension, with Moss’s character navigating a deeply unsettling reality. The film’s tension comes from both the eerie invisibility and the very real dynamics of an abusive relationship. Meanwhile, ‘Upgrade’ presents a more stylized narrative about tech dependency, where an AI named STEM manipulates its host to exact revenge.

Whannell’s crossover between these films is akin to Quentin Tarantino’s use of Easter eggs, subtly linking the two worlds through the technology of Cobalt. This shared universe concept highlights a recurring theme in Whannell’s work: technology’s seductive power and its potential for betrayal. With these connections, fans of Whannell’s films might find even more layers to explore in his cinematic universe.

–Farheen Ali