The Invisible Man Returns
A falsely condemned man turns invisible to find his brother’s killer before the formula that saved him destroys his mind.
Overview
A man on the brink of execution discovers the terrifying power of invisibility.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- suspenseful
- eerie
- tragic
- classic horror night
- monster movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the sequel suspenseful and effective, particularly praising its special effects and Cedric Hardwicke's performance while noting that it lacked the originality and impact of the first film.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Geoffrey Radcliffe's escape depends on the invisibility formula, while its gradual progression toward madness creates a built-in time limit.
The film's Oscar-nominated effects visualize Geoffrey's invisible body through moving garments, footprints, and interacting objects.
The invisibility formula threatens Geoffrey with progressive insanity, linking experimental science to psychological collapse.
Framed for his brother's murder, Geoffrey escapes custody and pursues the real killer while police inspector Sampson tracks him.
Films like The Invisible Man Returns, and why
The Invisible Man
shared classic Universal horror, invisible-body premise, suspenseful pursuit, and science fiction experimentation
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
shared black-and-white supernatural horror, scientific transformation, mounting madness, and tragic suspense
The Wolf Man
shared classic horror atmosphere, scientific menace, moral dread, and pursuit by authorities
The Mummy
shared Universal-era monster cinema, black-and-white style, gothic tension, and a hunted protagonist
Movie Details
- Director
- Joe May
- Release Date
- 1940-01-12
- Runtime
- 81 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (144)
Cast
- Cedric Hardwicke
- Vincent Price
- Nan Grey
- John Sutton
- Cecil Kellaway
- Alan Napier
- Forrester Harvey
- Ernie Adams
- Jimmy Aubrey
- Walter Bacon
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Invisible Man Returns about?
- A falsely condemned man turns invisible to find his brother’s killer before the formula that saved him destroys his mind.
- What is The Invisible Man Returns like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Invisible Man Returns as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Invisible Man Returns violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Invisible Man Returns as mild.
- What did critics think of The Invisible Man Returns?
- Critics broadly found the sequel suspenseful and effective, particularly praising its special effects and Cedric Hardwicke's performance while noting that it lacked the originality and impact of the first film.
- Which films are like The Invisible Man Returns?
- Films with a similar feel include The Invisible Man, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Wolf Man, and The Mummy.
- How long is The Invisible Man Returns?
- The Invisible Man Returns runs 81 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Invisible Man Returns?
- In United States, The Invisible Man Returns is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
