Olivia Wilde is making a notable return to the screen, starring in and directing the new sex comedy 'The Invite,' and appearing in the upcoming Gregg Araki film, 'I Want Your Sex.' These roles mark a deliberate embrace of her early-career status as a sex symbol, offering a distinct contrast to the tumultuous production of her 2022 directorial effort, 'Don't Worry Darling.'
'The Invite' features Wilde as Angela, a San Francisco housewife who, with her husband Joe (Seth Rogen), hosts a dinner party for their neighbors, Hawk (Edward Norton) and Pina (Penélope Cruz). The film, which Wilde also directed, delves into marital dynamics and unspoken desires, oscillating between intimacy and discomfort. Wilde's performance as Angela is described as a modern take on characters who are stylish and outwardly composed but inwardly grappling with self-image and desire. This role allows Wilde to navigate a character who is aware of her sexuality, a theme that resonates with her own past experiences of being framed by the male gaze in earlier films like 'In Time' and 'Tron: Legacy.' The film uses voyeuristic motifs to explore the complexities within relationships and personal fulfillment.
In contrast, Wilde takes on the role of Erika Kane in 'I Want Your Sex.' This film, a sex comedy from director Gregg Araki, features Wilde as an imposing and sexually voracious artist. Her performance is characterized by deadpan domination, offering a more assertive and self-aware portrayal of sexuality. This role allows Wilde to playfully engage with her past as a sex symbol while also asserting her aspirations as a serious artist.
Both films arrive after the widely publicized production of 'Don't Worry Darling,' which was overshadowed by gossip surrounding Wilde's relationship with star Harry Styles and rumored conflicts with Florence Pugh. Despite its ambitious scope and star power, 'Don't Worry Darling' received middling reviews and experienced a significant drop in box office performance after its opening weekend. This experience left Wilde in a transitional phase, no longer solely defined by her acting career but not yet fully established as an A-list director.
With 'The Invite' and 'I Want Your Sex,' Wilde appears to be reclaiming her on-camera presence. The films allow her to explore themes of sexuality and performance with a newfound confidence, shedding the constraints of earlier, often objectifying roles. In her 40s, Wilde is seen as more attuned to her talents as a performer, able to integrate her sexuality into her roles without being defined by it, similar to her nuanced performance in the romantic comedy 'Drinking Buddies.'