Scary and scarily relevant, Leigh Whannell recontextualizes a classic Universal monster into a modern look at gaslighting and toxic masculinity. The script is full of economical storytelling, like the opening scene which creates suspense while putting you into the paranoid and scared head of Elisabeth Moss’ Cecilia trying to escape her abusive relationship. Abuse is the literal invisible monster and the feeling that it’s hiding in the empty spaces waiting to strike create a frightening paranoia. The goal is to make Cecilia feel she is going mad as her friends back away from her constant state of high anxiety and Elisabeth Moss is here to leave it all on the field, often conveying her mental breakdown with just expressions. When it’s time to deliver some thrills Whannell brings them with a pulp glee, but his tone is more dramatic than horrific.
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