Olivia Wilde’s sex comedy “The Invite” is one of the best films of the year
- Jun 26
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 28
The Invite
Starring Olivia Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton. Written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones. Directed by Olivia Wilde. Opens July 3 in Toronto theatres, expanding nationally July 10. 107 minutes. 14A
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2 (out of 4)
Peter Howell
Movie Critic
The caustic playwright Edward Albee once told an interviewer the title of his couples confrontation drama “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” — later made into a memorable movie by Mike Nichols — means “Who’s afraid of living with false illusions?”
Olivia Wilde takes that to heart in her Albee-inspired Sundance sensation “The Invite,” a sex comedy in which she stars with Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton as Angela, Joe, Piña and Hawk. They play San Francisco neighbours who strip away social niceties in the course of an explosive dinner party.
Angela and Joe are a frustrated married couple who are trying to remember why they got hitched in the first place. The noisy sex of their upstairs neighbours, Piña and Hawk, is a sleep disturber and unwelcome reminder of what used to be in Angela and Joe’s bedroom.
Then Piña and Hawk awkwardly come for dinner one night, bringing with them a liberating proposal that could change all of their lives.
Adapted by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack from the Spanish film “The People Upstairs,” Wilde’s third movie as a director leaves no illusions unshattered. It’s an adult comedy that treats viewers like adults.
Wilde’s first two films as director, the awkward teen comedy “Booksmart” and retro psychological thriller “Don’t Worry Darling,” suggested a filmmaker still finding her voice. She’s truly found it with “The Invite,” which will have people talking long after they’ve left the theatre.
It’s one of the best films of the year. 🌛
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