Unraveling the dusted bandages of H.G. Wells’
classic 1897 science-fiction novel, writer-director
Leigh Whannell has refashioned “The Invisible
Man” as a bracingly modern #MeToo allegory
that, despite its brutal craft, rings hollow.
Our image of Wells’ villain — the white
wrappings, the dark sunglasses — comes largely
from James Whale’s also-classic 1933 film. This
“Invisible Man” might have stayed closer to
that vision had a box-office bust not interfered.
After “The Mummy,” with Tom Cruise, fizzled,
Universal Pictures canceled its Marvel-esque
monster franchise dubbed the Dark Universe.
Out went plans for Johnny Depp as the Invisible