The Invite is a sparkling comedy-drama with very adult themes that could leave you squirming, but its strongest power is how relatable it is. Starring Olivia Wilde (also directing) and Seth Rogen as a frazzled couple, the film explores swinging and relationship dynamics with humor and heart.
Plot and Characters
Joe (Rogen) returns home from an unfulfilling day to find his wife Angela (Wilde) has invited the cosmopolitan couple from upstairs over for drinks. Angela is determined to dazzle them with a souffle and jamon, but Joe hasn't bought the wine. 'Can we do a reset?' she asks after tempers fray, with Joe deducing that the idea came from a podcast. He threatens to mortify Angela by mentioning their neighbours' loud sex.
Into this contentious atmosphere arrive Pína (Penélope Cruz) and Hawk (Edward Norton), a glamorous sex therapist and firefighter who often revert to Spanish in an annoying but cool way. While Angela panics, Joe's brutal honesty is enjoyed by the neighbours, who reveal they planned to apologize for the noise by inviting them to join their group sex sessions.
Adult Themes and Humor
The film follows a chaotic concoction of swinging, Sade, and discussions of pegging, with Hawk offering 'to do the thing that makes Pína scream' to Angela. The script by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones includes brilliant quips, such as when Hawk reveals Pína 'pushed us into anal sex,' and Joe responds, 'I hope she pushed you gently.' Hawk later delivers with expert casualness: 'Gosh guys, we really just wanted to see the apartment – and maybe f**k a little.'
The territory explored is ripe for both humour and heartfelt moments, showcasing international appeal regarding couples' sex lives. The film is based on the 2020 Spanish comedy The People Upstairs, itself based on Cesc Gay's stage play, with Italian, Swiss, and South Korean remakes already released. Its stage roots are evident, with the entire film set in Joe and Angela's flat, but never feeling confined.
Cast and Performances
The top-tier cast delivers fully fleshed-out characters, especially Rogen, who brings a career-best performance. The film sometimes reads like a looser, sexed-up version of Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? mixed with Noël Coward's witty battling humour.
Verdict and Release
The Invite premiered at Sundance Film Festival in January. It is in US cinemas now and releases in the UK and Ireland on Friday, July 3, with a 15 age rating and 1 hour 47 minute runtime. If you want a belly laugh while admiring expertly depicted relationships, The Invite is an invitation you won't want to miss.
