Faith & Film

The Invisible Man (2020)

John 20:19-31—Understanding Forgiveness Scene

The 2020 remake of “The Invisible Man”, directed by Leigh Whannell, is a gripping horror movie that raises many questions about faith, doubt, and the human condition. The premise of the movie centers around Cecilia Kass (Elisabeth Moss), a woman trying to escape her abusive boyfriend Adrian Griffin (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), who is a wealthy and brilliant scientist. Cecilia succeeds in escaping and finds refuge with her friend James (Aldis Hodge) and his daughter Sydney (Storm Reid) but is plagued by the belief that Adrian is still somehow watching her. As events unfold throughout the movie, Cecilia’s sense of reality becomes increasingly unstable, and the audience is forced to question whether Cecilia is imagining things or whether Adrian has actually found a way to become invisible.

INVISIBILITY

It is obvious that Adrian’s invisibility gave him great power, much like Jesus’ resurrection gave him the power to appear before his disciples in a locked room. Adrian’s ability to control his environment and fear of being exposed and held accountable changed him into a monster, a haunting image of obsession and the ideology of control that allowed him to be the controlling factor in his relationships.

However, unlike Jesus who uses his power to bring comfort and peace to His disciples, Adrian uses his invisibility to manipulate and control Cecilia. Much like Thomas, one of the disciples, who could not believe Jesus’ resurrection until he saw it for himself, Cecilia’s friends and family could not believe her claims of Adrian’s abuse until they saw him with their own eyes. Thomas eventually saw the risen Jesus and believed, while Cecilia’s friends and family must infer the hidden nature of Adrian’s character through his ultimate exposure and reveal.

DOUBT

The central motif of the invisible man is a powerful metaphor for the experience of doubt. Doubt is often depicted as an invisible force that can torment and harass the doubter, much like the invisible man terrorizes Cecilia. The film explores the idea that doubt is not simply a lack of faith, but rather an active force that seeks to undermine and destabilize our beliefs.

Thomas expresses his skepticism, saying “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” (John 20:25) Thomas’ doubt is understandable. He has witnessed the brutal execution of his leader, mentor, and friend. He is understandably skeptical that Jesus could have overcome death and returned to life. However, Thomas’ doubt does not mean that he lacks faith. Doubt can be an important part of our spiritual journey, a way of grappling with complex and difficult theological ideas.

Cecilia experiences doubt and disbelief from those around her. She goes into hiding after she leaves her abusive and controlling boyfriend, Adrian. She is so afraid of him that she locks herself up in a room and barricades herself, just like the disciples.

She locks herself up in her room, and like Thomas, let us say she places her trust in her senses; at first, her doors appear to open and close by themselves. Later, things start to move when she is not looking, particularly the dinette set up in her living room, and the sheets that fall from her clothesline. Through it all, she is not only scared but is also very skeptical. Odd happenings that she cannot explain further confound her.

Initially, her friends believe her story of abuse and guard. However, as Cecilia’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic and she claims that an invisible man is after her, her friends begin to doubt her sanity. Cecilia’s loss of social and emotional support amplifies the existential loneliness that arises from a lack of faith as well.

In the end, Adrian is defeated, and Cecilia is free. Through her struggles, she comes out stronger and more self-assured than ever before, much like how the disciples’ beliefs are strengthened by their encounters with the risen Jesus. Cecilia’s story serves as a reminder that even in the face of fear, doubt, and adversity, one can find the courage to persevere and overcome.

TWO DIFFERENT VIEWS ON NATURE OF DOUBT

The invisible man offers an alternative view of the nature of doubt. While doubt can certainly be a force for good, it can also be used to manipulate and exert control over others. The film’s central villain, Cecilia’s partner Adrian, uses the power of his invisibility not to prove a point or to assert his beliefs, but to systematically dismantle Cecilia’s sense of safety and security. In this way, the invisible man is a metaphor not only for doubt but also for the capacity of humans to use fear and uncertainty as tools of oppression.

Ultimately, both the story of Thomas and the story of the invisible man point towards the importance of cultivating an open-minded skepticism. We need to question the things we take for granted, and we need to scrutinize new information with a critical eye. There is an important distinction between skepticism and cynicism. Skepticism involves a healthy dose of doubt, but is also open to the possibility that one’s assumptions may be wrong. Cynicism, on the other hand, involves a self-defeating attitude of mistrust and disbelief.

APPLICATION FOR US

In the end, “The Invisible Man” forces us to confront the ways in which doubt and faith shape our lives. The movie shows that faith can provide us with the ability to trust and believe in something even when it seems impossible. However, it also exposes how doubt can trigger loneliness, a sense of disconnection and isolation from the people around us. In essence, the film poses a narrative about what can happen when taking a skeptical edge to spirituality, whether it be of the irrational, visceral kind as in horror movies or with the historical weight of religious traditions.

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