The Invisible Man (2020) Ending Explained
tl;dr:
The Invisible Man (2020) ends with Cecilia Kass (Elisabeth Moss) outsmarting her abusive ex, Adrian Griffin, who faked his death and used his invisibility suit to torment her. After a violent confrontation, she kills Adrian in self-defense and frames his brother Tom for orchestrating the entire scheme. The final scene shows Cecilia walking away free, having reclaimed her life, while subtly hinting she may have kept Adrian's invisibility technology for herself. The ending is a triumphant yet ambiguous conclusion to her psychological and physical battle against an unseen predator.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The climax of The Invisible Man sees Cecilia luring Adrian into a final confrontation by pretending to surrender. She fakes a suicide attempt, knowing Adrian-still invisible-will intervene to keep her alive so he can continue tormenting her. When he does, she sprays paint on him to reveal his location, then fatally stabs him in self-defense. To cover her tracks, she stages the scene to make it appear that Adrian's brother, Tom, was the real mastermind behind the harassment. She plants Adrian's phone on Tom, records a fake confession, and leaves him to be arrested by the police. The final scene shows Cecilia walking away from the beach house where the confrontation occurred, now free from Adrian's control. The camera lingers on an empty space where an invisibility suit might be hanging, implying Cecilia may have taken the technology for herself.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
- Did Cecilia keep the invisibility suit?
- Yes: The final shot hints she took it, possibly as insurance or for future use.
- No: It could be symbolic, representing her newfound agency rather than literal possession.
- Was Adrian truly dead, or could he have survived?
- Dead: The film shows his body being removed by authorities.
- Alive: His wealth and scientific genius leave room for a twist in a sequel.
- Will Tom ever be proven innocent?
- Unlikely: The evidence is too convincing, and Cecilia ensured no loose ends.
- Possible: If investigators dig deeper, they might uncover inconsistencies.
- How much of the torment was real vs. Cecilia's trauma?
- Mostly real: The suit's existence confirms Adrian's actions.
- Psychological: Some scenes (like the blanket moving) could be her paranoia.
Themes & Symbolism in the Ending
The ending reinforces the film's central themes of control, gaslighting, and survival. Adrian's invisibility is a metaphor for the insidious nature of abuse-how it can be invisible to outsiders but all-consuming for the victim. Cecilia's victory isn't just about killing Adrian but reclaiming her narrative. By framing Tom, she mirrors Adrian's manipulation, suggesting she's learned to weaponize the system that failed her. The ambiguity of the final shot (the empty suit) raises ethical questions: Has she become like Adrian, or is she ensuring she'll never be a victim again? The ending refuses easy answers, leaving viewers to grapple with the moral complexity of her actions.
Personal Opinion on the Ending & Film
The Invisible Man is a masterful thriller that subverts the classic monster movie into a harrowing allegory for abuse. Elisabeth Moss delivers a powerhouse performance, making Cecilia's fear and resilience palpable. The ending is satisfying yet unsettling - Cecilia's victory feels earned, but the suggestion she might keep the suit adds a layer of unease. It's a brilliant choice, refusing to sanitize her trauma into a neat resolution. The film's tension is relentless, and the sci-fi twist elevates it beyond a standard horror flick. My only critique is that some supporting characters (like James Lanier) could've been fleshed out more. Overall, it's one of the best psychological horror films of the decade, with an ending that lingers long after the credits roll.
Final Thoughts
The ending of The Invisible Man is a testament to the film's intelligence and emotional depth. It doesn't just wrap up the plot; it challenges the audience to consider the cost of survival and the blurred line between victim and victor. Cecilia's journey-from terrified fugitive to cunning survivor-is gripping, and the final ambiguity ensures the story stays with you. Whether she took the suit or not, the message is clear: she's no longer prey. The film succeeds as both a pulse-pounding thriller and a poignant commentary on power dynamics, making its ending one of the most memorable in modern horror.