The Invisible

(2007) **1/2

Nick Powell is one of those high school kids you only see in the movies (e.g., Ferris Beuller). You know the type; he’s beloved by all and is able to transcend every clique in the school. The nerds love him, the jocks dig him, and his teachers believe he walks on water. Nick is the equivalent of the “heart-of-gold hooker” that you would never find in real life. Nick is an everyman cliché. Despite being Mr. Perfect Nick is one unhappy dude. His father passed away when Nick was 13 and his mother is as detached as Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People. Finding himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, Nick manages to piss off local thug, Annie, who along with her hombres, accidentally kill Nick and toss him down a culvert. The problem is, Nick isn’t dead. I mean, don’t get me wrong, he’s almost dead, but because he’s not completely dead he’s forced to wander around in a limbo state screaming at people to help him. Of course they can’t hear or see him. Nick realizes that he only has limited time and must somehow connect with Annie in order to convince her to show the authorities where she dumped him. As Nick haunts Annie, he begins to break on through to the other side and Annie begins to sense his presence. The Invisible is ultimately a “feelings” movie. Following Annie around for half the movie he begins to realize that his (attempted) murderer isn’t all that bad and despite (attempting to murder him) she has some positive qualities. Aw gee Nick, you’re a good guy even in (almost) death.


Annie, do you sense that I’m lying right next to you? Hello!!!?

In a dramatic sea change of behavior, Annie goes from being a thug to an almost-angelic saint and eventually does the right thing. Annie makes the greatest sacrifice because she wishes to “do one thing right” (!). Nick turns out just fine and learns a little about life along the way. Wait, isn’t that what happens to Steve Martin in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles?


“You got me home a little late, but, uh, I'm a little wiser, too.”

The Invisible has gorgeous cinematography and the two leads are adequate, however the ad campaign really pulls a bait and switch. Rather than being a spooky ghost story like the trailer would have you believe, The Invisible is ultimately a schmulzy drama with a “don’t judge a book by its cover” kind of message. That would be fine if it you’re into that sort of thing but this is Horrorthon and I’m not. Also, I just wanted to punch Nick the entire time.


Why would JPX want to punch me?