What Is The Invisibles Book About?

I got totally sucked into the whimsical world of 'Arthur and the Invisibles' years ago, and the one name that always comes up first for me is Freddie Highmore — he plays Arthur (both in the live-action sections and in the English-speaking version of the animated sequences). The movie is a bit of a Frankenstein mix of live-action and animation, and that means the credited cast can feel like two ensembles glued together: the human, live-action players who frame the story, and the voice cast who bring the Minimoys and their world to life. In the English release you’ll see Freddie Highmore up front, with strong support from veteran actors in the framing story. The film was directed by Luc Besson, and because it was made in both French and English there are actually different names credited depending on which version you watch — so if you watch the French cut you’ll notice different voice actors for the tiny characters. I always enjoy comparing the two casts: it’s like discovering an alternate soundtrack to the same adventure. For me, Freddie’s gentle, curious energy as Arthur is what anchors the whole thing, and the rest of the ensemble adds the quirky warmth that makes the movie feel like a bedtime tale for big kids.

What hooked me about 'Arthur and the Invisibles' was how the cast blends familiar celebrity voices with talented international dub actors — it gives the film this odd, delightful double-life. In the English-language version the big names leading the voice side are Freddie Highmore as Arthur (he carries both the live-action and the animated-voice transitions in the international cut), Madonna as Princess Selenia, and David Bowie as the menacing Maltazard. Those three are the anchor voices that most people remember, and they shape the movie’s tone in very different ways. Beyond those leads, the movie uses different voice teams depending on region: the French release casts Jean-Baptiste Maunier as Arthur and leans on a roster of French voice actors for the Minimoys. There are also supporting voices and cameo turns sprinkled through the English dub and international versions, plus live-action parts that feature other recognizable performers. I still think the contrast between Madonna’s fairylike delivery and Bowie’s gravelly villain voice is what makes the cast so amusing to revisit.

Bright thought to kick things off: the big thing to remember is that most of the action for 'Arthur and the Invisibles' happened around 2005–2006, so I usually calculate ages against 2005 when people talk about filming. Freddie Highmore, who plays Arthur, was born in February 1992, so he was roughly 13 during principal production — basically a young teen, which fits the on-screen kid energy. Mia Farrow, who shows up as the elder family figure, was born in 1945, so she was about 60 then. And the high-profile voice cast people often mention — Madonna (born 1958) and David Bowie (born 1947) — would have been in their mid-to-late 40s and late 50s respectively during those sessions. Luc Besson, who directed and produced, was about 50 at the time, overseeing the weird mix of live-action and CGI. Beyond raw ages, it’s fun to note how production schedules blur exact numbers: live-action bits, motion-capture, and separate voice work can be recorded months apart. So Freddie might have been 13 in the live shoots but 14 by the time some ADR (voice) sessions wrapped. I love that blend — it gives the movie a slightly time-stamped feeling, like a snapshot of artists at very different life stages coming together, which always tickles my fan-heart.

Bright-eyed about quirky family films, I always point to Freddie Highmore when people ask who voiced Arthur in 'Arthur and the Invisibles'. He not only appears as the live-action Arthur, he also provides the voice for Arthur in the film's animated sequences, which gives the character a consistent charm across both styles. That continuity helped me stay invested in the tiny-world segments instead of getting pulled out by a different voice actor. Freddie was already on my radar from roles in 'Finding Neverland' and 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', so hearing him carry Arthur's curiosity felt right. The movie is a blend of Luc Besson's visual hustle and kid-friendly fantasy, and Freddie's earnestness keeps Arthur relatable even when the plot gets wild. All told, if you're scanning the cast list or just curious who brings Arthur to life, it's Freddie Highmore — and I think his performance is one of the hooks that makes the film oddly endearing.

I noticed critics were pretty tough on the cast of 'Arthur and the Invisibles', and I can see why. Most reviews pointed out that Freddie Highmore, who carries the live-action portion, brought an earnest, kid-friendly energy, but that the script didn’t give him much to chew on. A lot of critics felt the human performances came off flat or uneven next to the film’s flashy digital characters. The voice cast got mixed notices: some reviewers liked the whimsy and occasional spark from celebrity voices, while others called the stunt casting distracting or underused. Overall the chorus of criticism landed on the film’s uneven tone — imaginative visuals versus performances that didn’t always match that ambition. I still think there’s a charm to watching it, even if critics were harsher than I felt necessary.

The Invisibles' main characters are a wild bunch, each with their own quirks and roles in the chaos. King Mob is the leader—a bald, brutal anarchist with a penchant for violence and esoteric knowledge. Then there's Dane McGowan, a teenage delinquent who gets pulled into the group and evolves into a key player. Fanny, a former sex worker turned badass operative, brings both street smarts and emotional depth. Boy, a non-binary shaman, adds a mystical layer to the team, while Lord Fanny (yes, another Fanny!) is a flamboyant Brazilian drag queen with supernatural ties. Ragged Robin, the psychic with a mysterious past, ties it all together with her cryptic visions. What I love about this crew is how Grant Morrison refuses to stick to stereotypes. King Mob isn’t just a tough guy—he’s deeply philosophical, and his brutality has consequences. Dane’s journey from angry kid to awakened rebel feels raw and real. And the way Morrison blends hyper-violence with surreal spirituality keeps the team dynamic unpredictable. It’s not just about fighting the system; it’s about unraveling reality itself.

This movie never fails to tickle the kid in me: in 'Arthur and the Invisibles' the central heart of the story is Arthur himself — a curious, determined boy who goes searching for a hidden treasure to save his family home. He’s the human anchor of the tale, the one who crosses between our big world and the minute, dangerous, wondrous world of the Minimoys. Arthur’s combination of stubbornness and tenderness is what carries the whole thing; he’s brave in ways that feel real because his motivations are so grounded: love for family and a streak of adventure. On the tiny side of things, the three characters who loom largest are Princess Selenia, Bétamèche, and Maltazard. Princess Selenia is clever, fierce, and impossibly graceful — the warrior-princess who teaches Arthur how different bravery can look. Bétamèche (often the comic-relief and loyal sidekick) is one of those characters I love because he balances charm and courage; he’s quick with a quip but will stand his ground. Maltazard, the antagonist, is the shadowy force who wants domination; he gives the story its stakes and a darker tone that contrasts beautifully with the wonder of the Minimoy world. Rounding out the core is Arthur’s grandfather, who frames the quest with stories and a sense of mystery — his legacy is the emotional engine that pushes Arthur into the Minimoys’ world. The Minimoys themselves (that tiny society of people living in the grass and garden) almost act as characters collectively, with cultures and quirks that reward close watching. I always finish watching feeling oddly cozy and charged, like I want to go outside and find a tiny city under a flowerpot.

If you want a no-fuss way to watch 'Arthur and the Invisibles' right now, I usually head straight to the big digital stores first. I find it's almost always available to rent or buy on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV/iTunes, Google Play Movies (YouTube Movies), Vudu, and the Microsoft Store. Renting gives you short-term access, buying adds it to your library permanently, which is great if you plan to rewatch with kids or revisit the quirky live-action/animation mix. Occasionally the film shows up on subscription services depending on region — sometimes on Netflix catalogs, sometimes on smaller streaming services — but that flips around a lot. If you prefer guaranteed legal access without hunting for regional availability, a digital rental is the quickest route. Another nice option is checking your local library apps like Hoopla or Kanopy; libraries sometimes carry family films for streaming for free with a membership. If you're collecting physical media, used DVDs pop up cheaply and give the full extras. I love the blend of miniature worldcraft and whimsical score in 'Arthur and the Invisibles', so buying it digitally or on disc feels worth it when I want to revisit those scenes.