Elisabeth Moss and Oliver Jackson-Cohen star in a scene from the movie "The Invisible Man." The Catholic News Service classification is L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. (CNS/Universal )

By Catholic News Service

Shortly after escaping her maniacally possessive live-in boyfriend (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), a cutting-edge optics researcher, a former architect (fervent Elisabeth Moss) learns that he has killed himself and left her a sizable portion of his vast wealth. But a series of unsettling events soon convinces her that he faked his death and is somehow stalking her, even though she can’t see him. Understandably, both her sister (Harriet Dyer), who aided her getaway, and the childhood friend (Aldis Hodge), in whose home she has taken refuge, refuse to accept this outlandish idea and, with her former lover apparently intent on ruining her life, her plight becomes increasingly desperate.

Though far more intelligent than many thrillers, writer-director Leigh Whannell’s remarkably absorbing monster movie, which bears only a very distant relationship to H.G. Wells’ 1897 novel, includes intense bloodletting while its conclusion appeals to viewers’ basest instincts. Only the gulf separating the film’s sci-fi scenario from anything in the real world makes it acceptable for a narrow swath of grown-ups.

Much gory violence, including gunplay, vigilantism and vengeance themes, cohabitation, at least one use of profanity, about a half-dozen rough terms, fleeting crude and crass language. The Catholic News Service classification is L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

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