Watch The Invisible Man
- 2006
- 2 Seasons
-
7.4 (3,493)
The Invisible Man was a science fiction television series that aired on Syfy from 2000 to 2002. The show was loosely based on the novel by H.G. Wells, but the premise was updated for a modern audience. The series followed the story of Darien Fawkes, a thief who is recruited by a secret government agency called The Agency to become the test subject for a new, top-secret invisibility serum. Although the serum works, it has a side effect â if not used correctly and frequently, Fawkes would go insane, which would ultimately result in him turning into a sociopathic madman.
Fawkes is initially hesitant to take the serum, but he is convinced to join The Agency after his brother, who was also a thief, dies in a botched job. The Agency promises to clear Fawkes' criminal record, but they warn him that he will become a prisoner of the government, working for The Agency for the rest of his life.
Fawkes is accompanied by his handler, Bobby Hobbes, who is played by Paul Ben-Victor. Hobbes is a former FBI agent who has been hired by The Agency to keep an eye on Fawkes and ensure that he does not misuse the invisibility serum. Hobbes is initially skeptical of Fawkes, but the two eventually become good friends.
The series also features Brandy Ledford in the role of Alex Monroe, a scientist who works for The Agency. Monroe is responsible for developing the invisibility serum, and she becomes romantically involved with Fawkes. However, their relationship is complicated by The Agency's rules against fraternization.
One of the interesting elements of The Invisible Man was the show's use of special effects to depict Fawkes' invisibility. Unlike other films and television shows that have tackled the concept of invisibility, The Invisible Man didn't rely on green screen technology or CGI effects. Instead, the show employed a technique known as the 'invisible man suit,' which involved the use of a skin-colored bodysuit that was then layered with special effects in post-production.
Throughout the series, Fawkes and Hobbes work on a variety of cases for The Agency, with many of the cases involving espionage, counter-terrorism, and other types of covert operations. Along the way, they encounter a variety of colorful characters, including other invisibility serum test subjects and rival government agencies.
The show was well-received by audiences and critics. Many praised the chemistry between Ventresca and Ben-Victor and the show's clever writing. However, the series was cancelled after two seasons due to low ratings.
Overall, The Invisible Man was a unique and entertaining take on the classic H.G. Wells novel. The show's use of practical effects to depict invisibility and the strong performances by the cast made it a sci-fi classic that still holds up today.