English MoviesReview

The Invite Review: Cancel All Other Plans and Accept This Invite

At its core, the film is simply four exceptional actors constantly bouncing off each other through dialogue. The recipe for disaster is right there but, unlike Angela's burnt soufflé, this one almost never collapses.

Published: Wednesday,Jul 08, 2026 15:04 PM GMT+05:30

Kunal Kothari

View Profile

Post a comment ⋮

The Invite (A remake of Spanish film, Sentimenal)

Releasing on 10th July, 2026

Cast: Seth Rogen, Olivia Wilde, Edward Norton, Penelope Cruz

Directed by: Olivia Wilde

Rating - **** (4/5)

You wouldn't really be blamed for walking into The Invite without knowing it's an official remake of a Spanish film because, every once in a while, remakes arrive in a way that makes them feel fresh and original on their own merit. Intimate films about intimate people talking about intimacy isn't exactly the kind of wordplay I'd usually love to use, but here, there simply isn't a more apt way to describe a film that is insanely hysterical, wildly weird and surprisingly poignant all at once.

Now imagine having just four actors and asking them to carry an entire feature film that runs for nearly 1 hour and 47 minutes. This happens to be one of my favourite genres because when it works, it's magical, but when it doesn't, it fails spectacularly.

Fortunately for us, The Invite belongs firmly in the former category. It almost feels like a stage play masquerading as a feature film, except with the luxury of retakes. At its core, it's simply four exceptional actors constantly bouncing off each other through dialogue. The recipe for disaster is right there but, unlike Angela's burnt soufflé, this one almost never collapses.

One Dinner, A Thousand Emotional Explosions

Joe (Seth Rogen) and Angela (Olivia Wilde) are a married couple with a 12 year old daughter, and their marriage has deteriorated to the point where the only glue holding them together is their child. The film almost cheekily opens with Oscar Wilde's famous paradox, "One should always be in love. That is the reason one should never marry." It immediately sets the tone for the emotional battlefield that follows.

Joe and Angela have practically stopped trying, but Angela has invited their upstairs neighbours over for dinner, much to Joe's annoyance. As the two continue arguing over the decision, enter Hawk (Edward Norton) and Pina (Penélope Cruz), an effortlessly sexy, charismatic and seemingly carefree couple. From that very moment begins a night that is literally and figuratively wild, turning relationships, assumptions and emotions upside down in ways no one sees coming.

Four Performers. Zero Safety Nets

It is genuinely fascinating to think about what these four actors manage to pull off here. In some parallel universe, simply watching these four performers sit around a table having conversations would've been entertaining enough, and thankfully that's almost exactly what this film gives us, except they're inhabiting wonderfully written characters.

The chemistry, trust and effortless finesse that all four actors bring to Will McCormack and Rashida Jones' adapted screenplay are simply remarkable. Special mention has to go to Olivia Wilde, who not only excels as Angela but also directs this beautiful chaos with remarkable confidence and heart. Her voice as a filmmaker continues to impress because she understands exactly how to maintain rhythm inside such a confined setting.

Olivia Wilde - The Voice To Watch Out For

It might appear easier to direct just four actors, including yourself, inside a single location with almost no external distractions, but it's arguably much harder. There is absolutely nowhere to hide if the pacing falters or if performances don't land. Thankfully, Wilde never allows that to happen, extracting sensational work from everyone involved, especially Penélope Cruz, who is absolutely magnetic.

Conversation Is the Biggest Spectacle

Seth Rogen and Edward Norton once again prove why they're among the most dependable performers working today. They understand every tonal shift, every awkward silence, every joke and every emotionally charged beat with complete ease. The humour lands naturally, the discomfort feels authentic and the emotional moments hit exactly where they should.

The Final Word

With its central premise alone, The Invite is bound to divide audiences and might even ruffle a few feathers. But strip away the provocative idea and what remains is simply a brilliantly acted, impeccably directed and wildly entertaining film that lingers in your mind long after the credits roll.

TL;DR

The Invite turns a simple dinner party into one of the year's most entertaining films. Powered by four exceptional performances, razor-sharp writing and confident direction from Olivia Wilde, the film balances awkward humour, emotional honesty and relationship drama with remarkable ease. Bold, intimate and wildly engaging, this is proof that great conversations can be every bit as thrilling as explosive action.