The Invite is Giving Bob&Carol&Ted&Alice Mixed with Edward Albee Energy

“One should always be in love. That is the reason one should never marry.” Oscar Wilde had a wicked sense of humor and never more present than when it came to the subject of marriage. It’s this quote at the start of the film that will give audiences a glimpse of the journey we are about to embark upon.

Directed by the fantabulous Olivia Wilde (who also stars as Angela),” The Invite” is introduced to Joe (Seth Rogen) and Angela’s marriage while it is treading on thin ice. However, things get realy intense and interesting when they invite their enigmatic upstairs neighbors Piña (Penelope Cruz) and Hawk (Edward Norton) for a dinner party where the night spirals into unexpected places. So, we are left questioning if this couple has reignited their spark or lit the match that burns it all down?

As the lyrics to “I’m Confessing That I Love You” play in the background, as well as, the manner in which string instruments (infused magically by composer Devonté Hynes) are used during the pinnacle of argument scenes, we see how Wilde weaves these sounds it as its own characters  lurking in the shadows drowning in its own dark corridors. Even down to using the artist Sade as a sexy safe word.  Which brings me to the sexual innuendos strewn throughout within the dialogue (brilliantly crafted by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack) is giving “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” energy. Who can forget the maniacal, animalistic energy brought to that piece by legendary thespians Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Sandy Dennis and George Segal.  Their energy drives the words and scenes created by Edward Albee and the cast of “The Invite” pushes the envelope even further

Penelope Cruz oozes quiet sensuality as Piña and coupled with Edward Norton their performances alongside an even more brilliant Olivia Wilde and Seth Rogen are smart, clever, witty and ridiculously comical.

Ironically, “The Invite” was adapted from the 2025 South Korean dark comedy titled The People Upstairs directed by and starring Ha Jung-woo, which is a direct remake of the 2020 Spanish film “Sentimental.”  Yet regardless of its origins ore reminders of other cinematic masterpieces, Wilde has revisited the her directing style from “Booksmart” and “Don’t Worry Darling” which makes this film intriguing to watch with baited breath.

Distributed by A24, “The Invite” had its limited release in theaters on June 26, 2026, and recently expanded nationwide on July 10, 2026