: The "magical realism" of the film transforms a figurative feeling of insignificance into a literal physical state. Critics have noted that while the premise is high-concept, the film functions more like an intimate drama about two broken people trying to reconcile their past mistakes.
: Director Claudia Myers has stated that the heart of the film is the idea that "to be seen, you have to see others". Holly’s invisibility is partially maintained by her own self-centeredness and inability to empathize with the struggles of those around her. Above the Shadows
(2019) is a magical-realist fable that explores the profound intersections of grief, isolation, and the basic human need for recognition. Written and directed by Claudia Myers , the film uses a supernatural premise—a young woman who has literally become invisible—as an allegory for the emotional "fading" that often follows a traumatic loss. The Mechanics of Invisibility : The "magical realism" of the film transforms
: A recurring symbol in the movie is the kaleidoscope given to Holly by her mother. It represents the ability to take the same existing "shapes"—such as the members of a fractured family—and rearrange them into a new, beautiful pattern through a change in perspective. Above the Shadows Movie Review - Common Sense Media Holly’s invisibility is partially maintained by her own
: The film portrays grief not just as sadness, but as a force that "silos" individuals, causing them to withdraw into their own viewpoints and disconnect from the world. Holly's journey is a reminder not to allow loss to permanently sever human connections.
Her isolation is finally challenged when she meets Shayne Blackwell ( Alan Ritchson ), a disgraced MMA fighter who is the first person in over a decade able to see her. This connection establishes the film's central moral riddle: Holly believes she must help Shayne restore his former glory to regain her own foothold in the visible world.
The story follows Holly (Olivia Thirlby), who began to physically disappear from the world following the death of her mother. This invisibility is not a superpower but a debilitating state of existence: she cannot be seen or heard by her family or society, forcing her into a lonely life as a successful paparazzi photographer where her condition is her greatest asset.