The Invisible Man puts a new twist on an old classic, pitting a woman against an invisible attacker – can you see him in early frames of the new 2020 film?
The Invisible Man was released to theaters on February 28th, and is a contemporary adaptation of not only the series of movies that began in 1933 but also H.G. Wells’s novel of the same name. It stars Elisabeth Moss as Cecilia Kass, a woman trapped in a controlling and abusive relationship to a wealthy tech giant. When she flees in the middle of the night, she is chased by Adrian Griffin (Oliver Jackson-Cohen). Although she escapes and thinks she’s finally safe when she hears news of her ex-boyfriend’s apparent suicide, she is plagued by strange and disturbing occurrences. Cecilia soon comes to believe Adrian has somehow found a way to be invisible and is now harassing her.
Click the button below to start this article in quick view.
As the first small things begin to happen to Cecilia in the film, viewers strain to catch a glimpse of the invisible man. Was it possible for the invisible man to stay completely out of sight, or were there any early clues to his whereabouts?
Where Is The Invisible Man In Early Scenes?
Although viewers can’t see the invisible man, the film plays off the key importance that they know he’s there. There are several early scenes that signal the presence of an unknown stalker, presumably Adrian, such as the foggy breath scene that served as a highlight moment in the trailer. There is also a moment where visible footprints are present on a blanket Cecilia is trying to lift, as well as when paint is dumped on the invisible man’s head and he finally comes into view.
Interestingly, one of the first clues audiences received that the invisible man is pestering Cecilia was during a scene where she is making breakfast. She leaves a pan of bacon and eggs cooking on the stove to go and wake up her friend’s daughter and, as she does so, the burner is suddenly turned up to high. The camera stays on this kitchen scene, even though there appears to be no one in it as breakfast bursts into flames. Similarly, there are several early scenes where the camera lingers on seemingly empty corners or rooms, implying that the invisible man may be in the shot. Even though this repeated camera technique is interesting, as hard as audiences may try, the invisible man does not appear to be visible; he is merely a background presence that is felt, but not seen. Only later in The Invisible Man are viewers given a first glimpse of the titular character, alongside several captivating story twists.
