The Invite is an American remake of Cesc Gay’s film Sentimental, which was adapted from his stage play Els veïns de dalt. This film marks the fifth time Sentimental has been remade within a six-year period, a clear indication of the story’s universal appeal across different countries and cultures.
The plot of The Invite is pretty straightforward. Angela (Olivia Wilde) and Joe (Seth Rogen) are a married couple with a 12-year-old daughter. Their relationship has become nothing but a string of arguments alongside a nonexistent sex life. In an attempt to break free from their monotonous routine, Angela decides to invite their neighbors over for dinner. Joe immediately pushes back against the idea, but Angela is determined to follow through.
When Pina (Penélope Cruz) and Hawk (Edward Norton) arrive, it becomes clear almost instantly that they can sense the unhappiness simmering beneath the surface of Angela and Joe’s marriage. As the evening progresses, conversations become increasingly candid, and tensions continue to rise, ultimately leading to a series of intimate secrets and personal revelations that have the potential to change Angela and Joe’s lives forever.
Structured like a three-act play and set entirely in a single location, The Invite is yet another impressive showcase of Olivia Wilde’s talent as both a filmmaker and actress. Now on her third feature film, it has become increasingly clear that Wilde is a filmmaker capable of navigating virtually any genre with confidence and control. While critics were divided on Don’t Worry Darling as a whole, one aspect that cannot be denied is how assured and ambitious the film was from a directorial standpoint.
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While some may be tempted to compare this film’s comedic elements to those of Booksmart, I would argue that the two have very little in common beyond being genuinely funny at times. The Invite is a remarkably controlled piece of filmmaking, largely due to its play-like structure and single-location setting. Pulling off something this funny while still delivering an emotional gut punch is no small feat, and it speaks volumes about Wilde’s growth and range as a director.
Again, like a stage play, this film relies heavily on the script and the actors. If either of those two things hadn’t worked, this film would have been a complete disaster. Instead, the ensemble shares an incredible on-screen dynamic, drawing the audience into their home and letting them go along for the ride. Seth Rogen, who is no stranger to comedy, delivers some of the film’s funniest lines. Some of them were ad-libbed while others were scripted. Edward Norton, who has always been one of the best actors of his generation, is also pretty damn funny as Hawk, which may surprise some audiences who aren’t used to seeing him in a role that perfectly balances comedy and drama.
Penélope Cruz delivers her strongest work in years, arguably her best performance since Vicky Cristina Barcelona. In the film’s third act, there is a remarkable scene in which she essentially becomes an unintentional therapist to Joe and Angela. It is an unexpected moment, yet it proves pivotal, reframing the film’s emotional dynamics in a profound way.
What is particularly fascinating about Cruz as a performer is her long-standing willingness to embrace her sexuality on screen. In an era where that quality is often minimized or treated with discomfort in modern films, she continues to lean into it with confidence and authenticity. It never feels performative or gratuitous, but rather an organic extension of who she is as an artist, and it remains one of her most compelling strengths as a screen presence.
This brings me to Olivia Wilde, an actress I was surprised to learn during the Q&A did not originally want to play the role of Angela. In many ways, Wilde’s Angela emerges as the film’s MVP. While the entire cast is superb, her portrayal is very much the heart and soul of the story. The film hinges on the audience’s ability to connect with Angela, and Wilde delivers a performance grounded in remarkable authenticity.
What makes the performance especially striking is how much Wilde communicates without dialogue. Her facial expressions, and in particular her eyes, speak volumes throughout the film. There are moments when she does not need to say a single word, yet the pain, vulnerability, and emotional weight of the character are unmistakably felt simply by looking at her. Wilde has long been an underrated actress in my eyes, and what she achieves here may finally prompt certain people in the industry to recognize just how talented a performer she can be.
I also need to note the film’s craft, which is impressive across the board. The cinematography, editing, score, and production design are all exceptionally strong. I was particularly taken by how the apartment functions almost as a character in its own right, with each room establishing a distinct emotional tone for the characters. At times, the space feels expansive and open, while in others it becomes suffocating and claustrophobic, mirroring the shifting dynamics of the relationship at the center of the story.
Devonté Hynes’s score also serves as a character in the film. For the most part, it is a clear asset, heightening both the humor and the emotional undercurrents. That said, there are a few moments where the score becomes slightly overpowering and briefly drowns out some of the dialogue. It is a minor issue that only stood out in a handful of scenes, but one worth noting.
Ultimately, The Invite is a film that anyone who has ever been in a relationship or marriage can relate to on some level. While it flirts with provocative concepts like sex parties and orgies, at its core, the film is a raw, deeply sad portrait of a relationship on life support. Wilde and her collaborators infuse the story with plenty of humor, but its true secret weapon is its emotional honesty. This is not a happy film, nor does it offer a fairy-tale ending. Instead, it thoughtfully explores the quiet devastation that occurs when two people who still love each other begin to drift apart over time. It becomes immediately clear why this story has been adapted in so many countries and languages. Its emotional truth is universal, and one that most adults will recognize and understand.
Scott Menzel’s rating for The Invite is a 8 out of 10.
