Modern Tale of Obsession Centered on Universal's Iconic Monster Character - The Invisible Man
In the world of horror cinema, Leigh Whannell's "The Invisible Man" has emerged as a compelling and timely addition to Universal Pictures' family of classic movie Monsters. The film, starring Elisabeth Moss, offers a chilling portrayal of a woman named Cecilia Kass, who escapes from her abusive partner and suspects he has made himself invisible.
Whannell, who began his career as a writer with the short film "Saw" and its feature follow-up, was drawn to the Invisible Man story since his childhood. His long-standing fascination with the character led him to develop "The Invisible Man" as the first chapter of this new direction for Universal Monster films, shepherded by blockbuster producer Jason Blum of Blumhouse Productions.
Producer Jason Blum was impressed with Whannell's innovative ideas for how to terrify audiences, particularly his use of negative space and classic horror-film tropes. Du Fresne, another producer involved in the production, was drawn to Whannell's treatment of the heroine's narrative, praising his ability to write strong female protagonists.
The production, based in Sydney, Australia, allowed Whannell to work with many of his fellow countrywomen and men. Elisabeth Moss, the star of the film, notes the film's use of building suspense through common objects like medicine cabinets and refrigerators. Moss also mentions that the film intentionally plays with classic horror-film tropes.
Du Fresne believes that Whannell was able to capture Cecilia's journey so powerfully on film because of the respect the director earns from his cast and crew. Whannell's deep appreciation for the world of suspense and terror is evident in his work, having written several entries in the genre.
After his latest directorial effort, Whannell developed an interest in action movies. However, his passion for horror cinema led him to take on the challenge of reimagining a new iteration of a Universal Monster. "The Invisible Man" crash-landed into Whannell's life, presenting him with an opportunity to explore the character in a way that speaks to what's going on in terms of domestic violence and how women are perceived in the media.
"The Invisible Man" is part of Universal Pictures' family of classic movie Monsters, including Dracula, The Wolf Man, Frankenstein's Monster, The Bride of Frankenstein, and The Creature from the Black Lagoon. This new direction for Universal Monster films is filmmaker-driven, inviting innovative storytellers with original, bold ideas for these characters to develop the stories and pitch them.
Whannell announced that he would direct, write, and produce "The Invisible Man" for Blumhouse Productions when he began developing the project. With its timely themes and chilling suspense, "The Invisible Man" is a must-watch for horror fans and general audiences alike.
