The critically acclaimed sci-fi horror film "The Invisible Man" opened in China on Friday, more than nine months after it became a box office hit in North America and other international markets.

This Australian-American production is a contemporary adaptation of the novel of the same name written by British writer H. G. Wells and published in 1897, as well as a reboot of the 1933 film. 

Directed by Leigh Whannell, the film follows a woman trying to prove she is being hunted by her wealthy scientist boyfriend. After staging his own suicide, the man uses his optic invention to become invisible to stalk and terrorize his ex-girlfriend. 

Emmy Award-winner Elisabeth Moss stars in the terrifying, inventive modernization of the tale of obsession inspired by Universal's classic monster character, and her acting is widely praised. 

The film is also part of Universal Pictures' Dark Universe, which is intended to include films of the studio's classic monsters. However, with "The Mummy" flop in 2017, development of all Dark Universe projects was halted. In 2019, the studio changed their plans about the shared universe concept, and focused on individualized story-telling. So "The Invisible Man" project was revived in early 2019 and started filming in July of that year.

"The Invisible Man" has an impressive 91% critics score on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 392 film critics' reviews. It delivered horror to people's hearts with masterly mature filmmaking as well as creating a scary and suspenseful atmosphere. 

It also touches the subjects of domestic violence, abusive relationship, and mental manipulation, and offers a timely feminist spin, all of them being topics of social discussion in China.  

Even more impressive, the film cost only $7 million to make, but grossed $134 million worldwide, a huge dark horse success based on a small budget. It was such a pity that the miracle scale was limited by harsh reality. Due to cinema closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the film was made available on March 20 for digital rental just three weeks after its theatrical release.

It got screening approval from China's film authorities very early this year, but the release plan was put off due to months of market closure. Now, it can finally start to scare the audience here after its global success. 

"It's very rare for China to import such a high-quality horror film. And in theaters, the feeling of thrill and horror are greatly magnified and immersive than when you watch it on a computer screen," one member of the audience told China.org.cn after its premiere.

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