Olivia Wilde's third directorial effort, 'The Invite,' has become a box office hit and critical darling, marking a major comeback after years of public scrutiny and professional setbacks. The film, a tense four-way sex comedy, has been hailed as one of the best movie experiences in years, with sold-out screenings and roaring laughter throughout its 107-minute runtime.
From Scandal to Success
Wilde, 42, has faced a tumultuous career trajectory. Her 2019 directorial debut 'Booksmart' was highly acclaimed but failed to make a dent at the box office. Her second film, 'Don't Worry Darling,' was plagued by scandal, earning a 38 on Rotten Tomatoes. However, 'The Invite' has turned her fortunes around, generating much-deserved Oscar buzz for 2027.
'I believe in early failure,' Wilde recently declared in a Variety interview. 'There were a lot of early bumps, and I think that taught me to have level-headed expectations for Hollywood. So my next movie had a 38 on Rotten Tomatoes, and I've been reflecting on how healthy it is to be reminded of how fickle it all is.'
A Star-Studded Cast
The film stars Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton, all delivering brilliant performances in the surprisingly moving tale. Wilde herself stars as Angela, a comedic standout in a role that showcases her range as both actress and director. 'Knowing she was at the helm for such an outstanding film, while also being the comedic standout in her role as awkward, self-effacing Angela, is something I haven't stopped thinking about since watching it,' said Alana Anderson, Deputy Entertainment Editor.
Overcoming Personal Hurdles
Wilde's journey has been marked by high-profile relationships and public humiliation. In April 2022, she was served custody papers by ex Jason Sudeikis while on stage at CinemaCon, an incident she described as 'traumatising.' Her two-year relationship with Harry Styles, which began after meeting on set in 2022, was steeped in misogyny due to their age gap. 'It's almost like the happiness made them mad,' Wilde said of the backlash. 'I would go to his shows and dance, and people were like, “Oh! How could she? … How dare you dance and smile?”'
A New Chapter
Wilde feels liberated by her success. 'I do have that feeling that if I never made anything else, I'd be OK,' she says of 'The Invite.' Her upcoming film, 'I Want Your Sex,' an erotic comedy about an age-gap relationship, is already being hailed as her best performance to date. The film's success underscores a broader issue in Hollywood, where women are often not given second chances after mediocre performances. 'Most films are being directed by men, and that isn't news, but very rarely do they face the added pressure of their love lives being dissected so publicly,' Anderson noted.
