The Invisible Man has been updated once more, this time by Universal and Blumhouse Productions. The science fiction classic from H.G. Wells has become a twisted tale of domestic violence in the hands of writer and director Leigh Whannell (Upgrade). In the upcoming film, Cecilia (Elisabeth Moss) must use the limited means at her disposal to convince her loved ones and the authorities that her recently deceased ex is stalking her using an invisibility suit.
One of the loved ones in question, Storm Reid (A Wrinkle In Time) plays Sydney, the teenage daughter of Cecilia's family friend. Torn between wanting to help the woman she views almost as a mother figure and being concerned for her own safety, Sydney must watch as Cecilia slowly falls apart. While not the central figure of the story, Sydney and her father are important reminders that believing is sometimes more than seeing.
Reid recently sat down with Screen Rant in anticipation of The Invisible Man's February 28 premiere. The young actress explained what drew her to the script, and why she prefers stories with valuable messages even if they are harder to play.
What was it the first inspired you to take on the role?
Storm Reid: I loved the script. I loved that it was not only a genre piece, but that it was having relevant conversations and trying to evoke a conversation about what women are going through today. And I found it very inspirational. Even though the story is heartbreaking, it is also very beautiful. So, I'm glad to be a part of it.
Speaking of what women are going through and the difficulties that are embodied in that, you work with a lot of really heavy material, with both this and Euphoria. How do you occupy that space without letting it kind of bring you down?
Storm Reid: I think what moves me and what wants me to do more of the tough topics, or to address the tough topics, is because there are things that need to be talked about with Euphoria and with this. But I also have to remind myself that my character's reality is not my reality. And I have to go back to being Storm and being fun and loving, and being grateful for what surrounding me and what I'm a part of.
Cecilia is kind of a mother figure in some ways to your character. How do you view their dynamic?
Storm Reid: I think Sydney does view Cecilia as like a mother figure or a very close aunt, because her mom is not in the picture and this is not the first time she's encountering Cecilia. It breaks her heart that she is going through these things, and she will go to the ends of the earth for people that she loves.
But she also doesn't neglect her feelings and how she feels in the situation, and she knows that something's not right. She doesn't know if Cecilia is fully telling the truth, but she's willing to figure it out and put herself and her life on the line to be able to do so.
Is it scarier to have to be afraid of what you can't see on set? How do you deal with not knowing where the Invisible Man is?
Storm Reid: On set? Not really, because I know. Yeah, even though I don't know - I'm supposed to not know, but I know. But I think the fear of the unknown in real life, or if I was in that situation in real life, I'd be terrified. So, I get why people are scared.
How does it change the blocking for you? Is the actor actually there, or is there a piece of tape there?
Storm Reid: Yeah, it just depends. Sometimes there's a man in a green suit in the corner that we try not to be distracted by. Leigh did a great job and the stunt team and even special effects. If there was supposed to be the presence of the Invisible Man, they would let us know where he was in the room, but we just had to act like he wasn't there and we didn't know because that was supposed to be going on. It was challenging.
