Even though horror has taken a major hit in 2020 only two months into the calendar year, a ray of hope has come in the form of The Invisible Man. The film is riding on great reviews and a marketing plan that’s allowing it to look like the jolt that horror so desperately needs right now.
What’s propelling The Invisible Man even further into potential box office treasures is that the central plot of the film is VERY topical right now. In the film, Elisabeth Moss plays a woman in an abusive relationship with a wealthy optics engineer who is the best in his field. She escapes from him in the middle of the night but weeks later she learns that he has taken his own life. But is he really dead? Quite simply, his presence haunts her like a ghost, tormenting her and those around her, but no one believes her. The reviews suggest that the depiction of toxic masculinity and an abusive males need to control, is the film’s most frightening and impactful aspect. The film arrives as the #MeToo movement is back in forefront again as Harvey Weinstein, the very image of an egotistical man with a power complex, has been officially convicted as a rapist after years of alleged predatory acts of rape, sexual misconduct and intimidation. Universal Pictures and Blumhouse couldn’t have predicted that their little $7 million film would open during such a crucial time but it’s the kind of promotion money can’t buy.
If you’re wondering why a film where a woman is tormented by an ex in such a horrific fashion would be appealing to moviegoers, the answer lies in where audiences likely believe the film will find its conclusion. The notion is that she’ll triumph over evil, take back her power and turn the tables on the man that is driving her crazy. There is power in that sentiment and even though it might be rough to watch Moss’s character endure such victimization, the reward will be in how she comes out of it on top. Universal and Blumhouse saw the same topical promotion help Get Out become such a word of mouth hit. Using race relations as a metaphor for the horror not only made for a clever film but it also spoke to something real and in that realism, a conversation was sparked that made Get Out a film to see again and again. That film opened to $33.37 million on this very weekend three years ago and it looks like the studio and production company has found the sweet spot again.
Horror has definitely been in a depressing state since the beginning of the year with dismal efforts like The Grudge, The Turning, Fantasy Island and Brahms: The Boy II but the one thing those films don’t have in common with The Invisible Man is the overwhelming support of critics. A 90% fresh rating is great for any film but it’s practically as good as it gets for the horror genre. Anyone who was reluctant to check this out this weekend, were likely swayed to give it a shot when the reviews declared this as a new horror classic. Sometimes there is a disconnect with critics and horror fans, especially when critics praise a genre effort but I think the realism of the film and its topical nature, will have them more in line this time. Horror is also a genre that skews younger and while this film will do just that despite the R-rating, the films leanings as more of a thriller rather than a straight horror film, will allow it to entice older audiences as well. Tracking has the film opening in the $25 million range but I’m predicting a launch at about $30 million and I wouldn’t be surprised if the film surged a bit higher.
