Hollow Man (2000)
Director: Paul Verhoeven
Starring: Kevin Bacon, Elizabeth Shue, Josh Brolin, Kim Dickens
Primary genre: Science fiction
Secondary genre: Horror
Nominated for: Best visual effects
Paul Verhoeven is a talented director. Nobody can deny how the Dutchman has carved out for himself a strong following with a (mostly) exquisite resume that favors excessive (and graphic) violence, sharp social commentary, and fascinating characters. A mere look at his resume tells it all: Robocop (1987), Total Recall (1990), Elle (2016). So following the financial disappointment that unfortunately was Starship Troopers (1997) (now a genius cult classic), with Hollow Man was definitely a peculiar choice.
Like its title, Hollow Man is a … hollow movie, an expensive one and a highly successful one, yes, but also a very hollow one indeed. Focusing around a group of scientists who are trying to crack the myth of invisibility, the film falters between unengaging personalities and pseudo-scientific clashes. The script ignores pretty much several rules of scientific ethics for entertainment (that’s fine). In 2026 where audiences have seen it all, it feels like a parody. This lack of ethical discussion along with one-dimensional roles (and mediocre acting) grinds the proceedings to a halt amidst some truly spectacular effect shots (rightfully nominated and superior to Gladiator (2000)). Verhoeven, now comfortable in big budget spectacle from his previous output, handles the effects extremely well, and occasionally he manages to creep us out a little (a tilt of the mirror here, a face in the smoke there). Nevertheless, this teasing isn’t enough to propel the narrative forward with rather telegraphic set pieces. The you-think-you-are-alone aspect could have worked wonders at the hands of a director who is interested in tensing up his audience out like the recent remake of The Invisible Man (2020).
“You know what, Matt? It’s amazing what you can do... when you don’t have to look at yourself in the mirror any more.”
However, the built-up is just not that deep. Kevin Bacon’s Sebastian is the typical I-am-smarter-than-all-of-you-together scientist with a god complex, however, we have no idea what is his motivation or what does he want. Some one-liner regarding his deteriorating mental state does not suffice to feel for him or his turn. A distasteful rape scene is entirely pointless, used as an excuse to see Rhona Mitra’s physical assets and matters not in the plot. Verhoeven features also several scenes where Sebastian is an obvious misogynist and his fixation with Elizabeth Shue’s fellow scientist leads to head-scratching at best sexual assaults; it’s like the script is informing us about Sebastian’s make-my-ex-swoon charm even when he is invisible.
Yeah, how about no? So when all the carnage happens in the third act, any good will before has evaporated altogether with characters doing the dumbest mistakes you can think of against a villain of nonsensical superhuman strength and resilience. It might look pretty by having Bacon’s antagonist being put through blood, water, smoke, and more but these are ultimately empty, graphic scenes of carnage. In later years, Verhoeven has denounced the movie and rightfully so. It has neither the trademark wit nor the panache present in his other works and could be easily directed by anyone with technical expertise.
Hollow Man is unfortunately forgettable. A science fiction horror flick with uninteresting ideas and horror aspects that frighten no one. Besides Bacon’s OTT performance and detailed special effects, there is nothing else to see. Like its titular character, the film is invisible.
Hollow … spectacle
+Special effects are sensational
+Verhoeven does his best
+OTT Bacon is always good
-Boring characters
-No development
-Stupid mistakes
-Banal horror