The Invisible Man
The film follows Cecilia, who receives the news of her abusive ex-boyfriend's suicide. She begins to re-build her life for the better. However, her sense of reality is put into question when she begins to suspect her deceased lover is not actually dead.
Despite its modest budget of $7.0M, The Invisible Man became a massive hit, earning $144.5M worldwide—a remarkable 1964% return. The film's bold vision found its audience, proving that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Invisible Man (2020) exemplifies precise narrative architecture, characteristic of Leigh Whannell's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 4 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Cecilia is trapped in an abusive relationship with wealthy optics engineer Adrian Griffin, living in fear in his isolated high-tech mansion by the sea.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The First Threshold at 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to After experiencing escalating strange events, Cecilia finds her missing phone hidden in the attic crawlspace. She realizes Adrian is alive and hunting her, choosing to actively investigate and prove the truth rather than accept she's going crazy., moving from reaction to action.
At 63 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat The invisible Adrian slashes Emily's throat and places the knife in Cecilia's hand at the restaurant. Cecilia is arrested for murder. False defeat: she's now imprisoned, her sister is dead, and no one believes her. The stakes are raised - Adrian has taken everything., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 92 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Adrian tells Cecilia she's pregnant with his child through forced artificial insemination, his ultimate act of control. This represents the death of her autonomy, bodily agency, and any hope of freedom. She attempts suicide by slashing her wrists., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 99 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Cecilia breaks into Adrian's house and discovers his laboratory and a second suit. Adrian's brother Tom attacks in the suit, but Cecilia kills him. She forces a confrontation with Adrian at his house, where James is killed. Cecilia proves Adrian's culpability and executes her final plan., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Invisible Man's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Invisible Man against these established plot points, we can identify how Leigh Whannell utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Invisible Man within the drama genre.
Leigh Whannell's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Leigh Whannell films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Invisible Man takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Leigh Whannell filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Leigh Whannell analyses, see Insidious: Chapter 3, Upgrade.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Cecilia is trapped in an abusive relationship with wealthy optics engineer Adrian Griffin, living in fear in his isolated high-tech mansion by the sea.
Theme
James tells Cecilia that Adrian is just messing with her mind, establishing the film's central question: What is real when your abuser controls perception itself?
Worldbuilding
Cecilia escapes Adrian's mansion and hides at James's house with his daughter Sydney. We learn about Adrian's wealth, control, and the psychological damage he's inflicted. News arrives that Adrian has committed suicide, leaving Cecilia $5 million.
Resistance
Cecilia attempts to reclaim her life - venturing outside, reconnecting with her sister Emily, and preparing to move forward. But strange incidents begin: moved objects, mysterious presences, the feeling of being watched. She debates whether it's paranoia or reality.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
After experiencing escalating strange events, Cecilia finds her missing phone hidden in the attic crawlspace. She realizes Adrian is alive and hunting her, choosing to actively investigate and prove the truth rather than accept she's going crazy.
Premise
Cecilia is terrorized by an invisible Adrian who gaslights her, manipulates her relationships, and destroys her credibility. The horror premise unfolds: attacks at the restaurant, paint thrown on her, evidence planted. Everyone thinks she's having a breakdown while Adrian tightens his invisible grip.
Midpoint
The invisible Adrian slashes Emily's throat and places the knife in Cecilia's hand at the restaurant. Cecilia is arrested for murder. False defeat: she's now imprisoned, her sister is dead, and no one believes her. The stakes are raised - Adrian has taken everything.
Opposition
Cecilia is institutionalized and completely isolated. Adrian visits in the invisible suit and reveals he's been manipulating everything. He forces her cooperation by threatening Sydney and reveals Emily's emails were forged. Cecilia is utterly trapped with no allies and no credibility.
Collapse
Adrian tells Cecilia she's pregnant with his child through forced artificial insemination, his ultimate act of control. This represents the death of her autonomy, bodily agency, and any hope of freedom. She attempts suicide by slashing her wrists.
Crisis
In her darkest moment after the suicide attempt, Cecilia processes the full horror of Adrian's control. She waits in her cell, appearing broken. But the darkness forges her resolve to fight back with his own weapons.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Cecilia breaks into Adrian's house and discovers his laboratory and a second suit. Adrian's brother Tom attacks in the suit, but Cecilia kills him. She forces a confrontation with Adrian at his house, where James is killed. Cecilia proves Adrian's culpability and executes her final plan.