The Invite: Olivia Wilde’s Seven Year Itch.

Written By: Daniel Ramirez

Film & Sports Data Contributor

Director and Actress of The Invite: Olivia WIlde

Seth Rogen, Olivia Wilde, Penelope Cruz, and Edward Norton at the premiere of A24’s The Invite in Los Angeles at DGA Theatre.

A24’s The Invite starring Seth Rogen, Olivia Wilde, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton.

© 2026 Sideline Society Media. All original content, branding, and editorial work are protected. Third-party media is embedded for editorial purposes and remains the property of its respective rights holders.

In an era where most audiences are swiping right or left on superhero sequels or the latest horror phenomenon, The Invite offers a contained, four-person, single-location relationship dramedy.

Which is not to say dull! The film boasts clever and engaging dialogue paired with sleek, but meticulous production design. Seth Rogen, in particular, peppers several laugh-out-loud lines with perfect delivery. Penelope Cruz enchants each time she enters the frame, always effortlessly cool and deeply seductive. Edward Norton fully embodies his character as usual, reportedly performing his origin story completely improvised. But it is perhaps Olivia Wilde who wears the pants in this powerhouse love rectangle.

In a sense, Olivia Wilde has been directing this project for 7 years. In 2019, her directorial debut Booksmart quadrupled its $6M production budget domestically, and made both audiences and critics swoon. During that season’s Film Independent Spirit Awards, Wilde brought home “Best First Feature” and further cemented her honeymoon phase as a director, with more nominations for Booksmart at the Golden Globes, Critic’s Choice Awards, Writer’s Guild of America, and BAFTA’s.

This hot start undoubtedly helped Wilde secure her next directing job, this time teaming up with the massive, major studio marketing power of Warner Brothers. But regrettably, rumors of cast in-fighting, vicious reviews, and a press tour that surfaced several personal turmoils all birthed a sophomore slump. In 2022, Don’t Worry Darling still quadrupled it’s $20M production budget (with help internationally), but it’s potential was clearly limited by the noise surrounding its release.

The film arguably catalyzed Wilde’s nasty public divorce and, at its worst, culminated in her diabolically being served custody papers on stage at CinemaCon. Despite financial recoupment and some resonance with audiences outside the (occasionally) snobbish critic’s circle, the film left several scars. Many reasonable people would retreat after such humiliation, especially considering the heights from which she began. But luckily, Hollywood is not inhabited by many reasonable people.

Seven years after her debut Wilde seems to reclaim parts of her past, allowing them to inform many themes in her third film The Invite. Unapologetically, the film explores how relationships shape us, and how we tend to mold others in unfair ways. It examines the intimacy, complacency, and evolving desire that complicate all relationships.

The Invite takes well drawn, believably attached characters, and tests them. Pushes into their insecurities and assesses their durability, if any. Because today, it’s convenient to ghost when things go sideways. To stay silent, resign from engagement, and allow relationships to erode. While easier, that path suffocates an opportunity for growth.

The Invite considers that not all hardships and heartbreaks are villains to run from. If not destructive, the film proposes they can even help us self-actualize and build future relationships on stronger foundations.

The Invite comes at a serendipitous time. The industry is off an all-time record box office weekend, and movie-going demographics are shifting in encouraging ways. Gen Z is falling in love with the theatrical experience. People are logging off and seeking human connection again. Movies and relationships are an invitation to empathize. Olivia Wilde, and The Invite remind us to RSVP.

To get the party started, The Invite is available to watch on demand today via: https://app.a24films.com/product/the-invite/552

Every relationship RSVPs to the truth eventually.