The Invite Review – Unhinged Characters And One Questionable Motive
Four people, one room, and plenty of chaos. I don’t think a film shot primarily in one couple’s room could be so thoroughly enthralling.
Directed by Olivia Wilde, The Invite first landed in cinemas in June 2026. As a big fan of both Olivia Wilde, Seth Rogen, and Penélope Cruz, watching the movie was a no-brainer for me. I went into it completely blind, not knowing what to expect.
It made me laugh, ponder, and ultimately left me leaving the cinema feeling like I had just watched a movie that is slow but meaningful. The Invite, a film from A24, was a bag of surprises, and one for fans of comedy dramas.
Rundown of The Invite – What you need to know
- Genre: Comedy-drama / romance
- Stars: Seth Rogen, Olivia Wilde, Penélope Cruz, Edward Norton
- Runtime: 1h 47m
- Creators: Directed by Olivia Wilde; written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones
- Release date: 2026
- Where to watch (UK): Apple TV Store, Amazon Prime Video, Rakuten TV and Sky Store
What is The Invite about?
The Invite follows the story of husband and wife Joe (Rogen) and Angela (Wilde), as it takes a look at the breakdown of their marriage and the causes behind it. The first scene starts with Joe, a failed musician turned music teacher. He returns from a long and hard day at work to find his wife preparing their home for a dinner party.
She is hoping to get to know their neighbours better, while Joe is adamant about raising the issue of their bedroom antics, which have been keeping him awake. During the party, things get off to an awkward start before their neighbours, Pina (Cruz) and Hawk (Edward Norton), drop a bombshell that leads the couple to question their own relationship. During the eventful evening, secrets and truths are brought to the surface, forcing Joe and Angela to confront the problems within their marriage and decide if their relationship can make their relationship work.
What I liked about it:
Comedy-dramas have always been a go-to choice of mine. The Invite goes a good job with its deadpan humour, unstable relationships and unpredictable characters. The film is chaotic, and the pacing matches the chaos happening in the room. It feels like being the fifth person invited into a room full of adults who are facing their problems in unconventional ways.
The film makes you wonder how a relationship between two people who are so unlike each other has managed to survive for so long. Seth Rogen is known for his comedic roles, and his deadpan delivery is great in this film. The jokes are delivered effectively, especially when they are directed towards Hawk and the origins of his name.
Intimacy is a huge topic explored throughout the film. However, you soon realise that it is not the most prominent issue within Joe and Angela’s relationship. Their lack of intimacy is part of the problem, their bigger issues come from their inability to communicate and show empathy towards one another. The film uses their relationship as a message, showing how problems that are bottled up will eventually find its way to the surface.
Penélope Cruz is confident and charismatic as Pina, a woman who is extremely open when it comes to discussing issues surrounding the bedroom. Her character brings another dynamic to the dinner party. I like that she is able to say what others may be too uncomfortable to admit. The dialogue in this film honest and important, so the single-location isn’t really an issue.
What I didn’t like about it:
There wasn’t much I didn’t like about it apart from some jokes that overstayed their welcome. The pacing was a bit slower in the middle but it soon picked up towards the end of the movie.
Overall thoughts:
This film is fun one to watch on your own or even a significant other or family. The film question the nature of relationship, how to keep them healthy and the dynamic beteeen husband and wife. This are real-life issues discussed in an entertaining and thought provoking way.
