Let’s talk about The Invisible Man, one of the classic Universal Monsters who for a long time barely got any attention.
The Invisible Man’s first screen appearance was in the 1933 film. At that time, the effects used to make Jack Griffin disappear were groundbreaking. This, of course, would later be followed up by two more films that, while still just as visually groundbreaking, were not as good as the first.
Now, cut to the present day, and the Invisible Man has been getting a lot more attention thanks to Universal’s new Dark Universe opening as part of Epic Universe. This expansion to the Universal Orlando theme park will open to the public on May 22, 2025, and with it comes many new rides, merchandise, and, more importantly, new character interactions.
However, recent viral videos from park previews featuring the Invisible Man have taken a weirdly sexual tone, raising serious concerns.
While it’s easy to get caught up in the fun, it’s crucial to remember that these characters are played by real people.
Treating performers like props or flirting with them inappropriately isn’t just creepy; it’s disrespectful and dehumanizing. If theme parks want to maintain immersive experiences, then audiences need to do their part and treat actors with basic decency.
Who is the Dark Universe’s Invisible Man?
As mentioned earlier, videos of Dark Universe are now being released. That’s great, and as a monster fan, I am already in love with what we are seeing. That includes The Invisible Man.
The actors playing Jack Griffin at the park are nailing the smug, witty, and mysterious Claude Rains energy. The new adaptation of the iconic badges and sunglasses is also a perfect mix of paying tribute to and modernizing an iconic monster.
That care and authenticity are probably why fans are latching onto him so strongly. He’s gone from a forgotten monster to a fan favorite, brought to life by performers who show their respect for the character. But with that growing popularity has come a concerning trend.
Why are people thirsting for Dark Universe actors?
On TikTok, videos have started circulating of people making edits of the Invisible Man, syncing clips of him with steamy, intense music. What always throws me off, however, is that these edits are all using normal clips of the actor just walking around and playing the character.
When I scroll through the comments of these videos, besides people bringing up his alluring, arrogant personality, the second most mentioned trait is the Invisible Man’s mask. And yes, I wish I were joking.
This trend isn’t just about one character; it points to a broader phenomenon I’ve started calling “mask obsession.” While it’s recently exploded online, it’s not exactly new.
For a deeper dive into the specifics of this trend, I recommend Elizabeth de Luna’s article, “Why is the internet so horny for masked men?”
But the problem with it going viral on social media is that the more we see it, the more normal it starts to feel—even when maybe it shouldn’t.
This kind of behavior affects nearly every theme park performer, but something about the mask makes people feel almost perfectly fine about catcalling these men or even trying to find out their real identities.
As Amanda Ruggeri explained it for the BBC, “Be exposed to anything enough, in other words, and that thing winds up being normalized. Even if it’s bad.”
It’s the same cycle we see with dangerous trends. A funny video turns into a challenge. A few likes become a feed full of similar content. Suddenly, you’re referencing it in real life. The internet has conditioned us to think this behavior is harmless. It’s not.
When does online behavior turn into a problem?
So how do we stop normalizing the mistreatment of the Invisible Man (and other actors)?
Right now, we’re seeing tons of content that sexualize the actors behind these roles. That’s not cute; it’s objectification.
No one, even if their job is to act as a character you find attractive, deserves to be gawked at and pushed into situations that in any other circumstances would be seen as stalking behavior. They are humans here to work, not to be your boyfriend.
And we’ve seen what happens when things go too far:
- The Peter Pan actor who lost his job after going viral.
- The Disney elf who was let go after fans wouldn’t stop harassing him in and out of costume.
Some might say that this perspective will lead to people feeling ashamed for finding a person attractive, which is not the reason for bringing this up. These thoughts are normal.
What others and I are saying is that having these thoughts doesn’t give you the right to do whatever you want. These inappropriate actions should be shunned. There is a public court of opinion for a reason.
What Can You Do?
There’s no perfect fix. The internet is fast and chaotic. But there are things people can do, starting with how we behave.
Already, I’ve seen fans speaking up and spreading awareness. That’s a good thing. The Dark Universe was made to be enjoyed by everyone, and part of that includes consent and respect.
So please, before you interact with a character or post a video, ask yourself:
- Does this ruin the moment for other guests nearby?
- Would I want to be treated like this if I were in their shoes?
- Am I turning a shared experience into a personal obsession?
And don’t try to be a vigilante, either.
By being mindful of these considerations, you’re not trying to be the person who will jump in and save the day. But you can help create a new norm for how people should treat the actors we all admire.
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