Olivia Wilde's third feature film, "The Invite," is a mature and controlled dramedy that marks a significant step up from her previous works like "Don't Worry Darling." Written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones, the movie is a remake of Cesc Gay’s 2020 Spanish original, "Sentimental" (also known as "The People Upstairs"). The story centers on a middle-aged, bickering San Francisco couple, Joe (Seth Rogen) and Angela (Olivia Wilde), who invite their attractive and uninhibited upstairs neighbors, Hawk (Edward Norton) and Pína (Penélope Cruz), over for dinner, leading to an evening of psychological unspooling.
The film begins with an aphorism from Oscar Wilde, "One should always be in love. That is the reason one should never marry," setting a tart and unflattering view of matrimony. The plot unfolds entirely within the couple's apartment, creating an intense, pressurized atmosphere reminiscent of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" mixed with the cynical humor of Woody Allen. Joe, portrayed as a wisecracking curmudgeon, and Angela, a high-strung bundle of nerves, are forced to confront their marital issues as their guests' frankness exposes their domestic discontent. The movie explores themes of honesty, sex, and the challenges of long-term relationships.
Critics highlight the film's sharp script, fine-tuned performances, and Wilde's energetic direction. The movie, which runs about 107 minutes, carefully builds tension by delaying the arrival of the neighbors, allowing the audience to marinate in the awkward façade of Joe and Angela's marriage. Despite some critiques about the ending fizzling out, "The Invite" is praised as an enjoyable, nerve-racking journey that serves as an entertaining mirror of romantic disillusionment in middle age, with many calling it one of the better adult dramas of the year. The film had its UK premiere at SXSW London and was released in US theaters on June 26th, expanding on July 10th, and in the UK and Ireland on July 3rd.
