How well do we know our neighbors? Living in close proximity to other people can provide the opportunity for the development of close relationships, but it also offers a picture primarily of home life that may not encompass the whole of who each person really is. Confronting neighbors about uncomfortable things can be challenging and it’s often something that doesn’t happen to avoid tension. The first official plans for those who have only encountered each other because they live nearby can be highly informative and transformative, and The Invite takes an extremely funny approach to such a situation.
Joe (Seth Rogen) arrives home in a bad mood, tired after biking the streets of San Francisco, and is not at all pleased to learn that his wife Angela (Olivia Wilde) has invited their neighbors over for dinner. When Pina (Penélope Cruz) and Hawk (Edward Norton) ring the doorbell, they check to make sure it’s a good time since they could hear them arguing from outside the door. What ensues is a series of interactions ranging from deeply uncomfortable to highly entertaining as Angela shoots daggers at Joe each time he complains and speaks too honestly and Pina and Hawk reveal more of who they are that goes beyond Joe’s primary grievance: the loud sex he hears them having every night.
This is the third feature film directed by Wilde, and marks a return to comedy that she so brilliantly brought to life in Booksmart. The script comes from frequent collaborators Will McCormack and Rashida Jones, based on the Spanish film Sentimental. The jokes-per-minute ratio is off-the-charts here, with the cast firing off so many one-liners and exchanging dialogue in rapid succession that’s it’s almost dizzying. It’s surely possible for any viewer to find something to relate to about either Angela or Joe – or both – and they’re exaggerated for comedic effect just enough to dial up the entertainment factor. That many lines were apparently improvised speaks to the sharpness of the script to begin with and the aptitude of the cast to gel together and improve upon that.
While Wilde didn’t initially plan to cast herself, the fact that she eventually came around to that decision is a win for everyone. This character couldn’t be more different from Erika, the maniacal sex-positive artist in her other Sundance film this year, I Want Your Sex, and it’s marvelous to see how Wilde taps into and fleshes out Angela’s anxiety and desire to be liked. This is a role with Rogen’s name written all over it, and while he’s not really stretching himself, he’s so good at this that it doesn’t matter. Cruz and Norton may not be the first names that come to mind to pair with Wilde and Rogen, but what a wonderful gamble it turns out to be! They’re both genuinely funny and capable of shifting the conversation and tone of the evening with ease on multiple occasions. It’s a real treat to see them take on these somewhat unexpected parts and deliver in the best way.
As the film begins, the score by Dev Hynes practically drowns out the dialogue, helping to heighten the antics and emphasize how these two hosts are feeling. This one-location film makes great use of its apartment setting and the chance to offer pieces of information and background through the simple plot device of giving a tour. This film is absolutely hilarious and is made even more worthwhile by a few important twists that take it from a thoroughly enjoyable and involving comedy to something even more worthwhile and resonant that knows exactly how to stick the landing with its ending. Everyone in this foursome is a winner, and what they’ve made here is an absolute blast.
Movie Rating: 8/10
The Invite premieres in the Premieres section at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
