The Invisible

The Invisible has built a real following in Australia on Amazon Prime Video, and in the US on Hoopla among viewers who want their sci-fi to think as hard as it looks. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. 593 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Justin Chatwin anchors it with a performance that grounds the bigger ideas in something human. Available now on Amazon Prime Video — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, The Invisible is worth clearing space for. What makes The Invisible work is that the ideas never crowd out the people having them. After an attack leaves him in limbo -- invisible to the living and also near death -- a teenager discovers the only person who might be able help him is his attacker. Justin Chatwin and Margarita Levieva lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2007. The Invisible resists the temptation to explain everything, trusting the audience to sit with ambiguity. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

For late-night viewing or a proper weekend binge, The Invisible fits the bill. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Justin Chatwin anchors it with a performance that makes the more abstract moments feel personal. If you have been burned by ambitious sci-fi before, this is the exception.