The sound of sizzling bacon and stifled giggles sets the scene for Olivia Wilde's wickedly relatable new film 'The Invite', landing in UK cinemas on July 3. This one's got it all: sharp script, top-notch performances from Seth Rogen, Olivia Wilde herself, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton – and a healthy dose of cringe-worthy dinner-date drama to get your teeth into.
Based on the 2020 Spanish film 'The People Upstairs', 'The Invite' has been adapted for the screen by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack, who previously collaborated on the gem that was 'Celeste and Jesse Forever'. The narrative is a tightly wound web of relationships, played out almost entirely within Joe (Rogen) and Angela's (Wilde) apartment. It starts innocently enough – just a casual dinner party to break the ice after some noisy neighbours have been causing friction with their rambunctious romps.
But as the evening wears on, things take a dark turn. The impromptu gathering descends into an uncomfortable free-for-all of unspoken resentments and micro-aggressions. It's a searing portrayal of long-term relationships teetering on the edge – and Joe and Angela's marriage is no exception. Meanwhile, their upstairs neighbours Pína (Cruz) and Hawk (Norton) seem like the picture of perfection: uninhibited, outspoken, and unafraid to speak their minds – until, that is, things get really awkward.
Wilde's direction is on point, marshalling powerful performances from her cast in a contained setting. It's a clever, observational take on relationships that will have you squirming in your seat – but also, somehow, nodding along in recognition. All four leads are at the top of their game, delivering a film that promises to be both thought-provoking and genuinely funny.
Critics have drawn comparisons to Woody Allen's earlier works, praising Wilde's direction and the performances. And it's easy to see why – there's a deft touch here that gets under your skin in all the right ways. This one's not just for rom-com fans: it's for anyone who's ever felt like they're stuck in a relationship rut.