Olivia Wilde's latest directorial effort, "The Invite," is being lauded as a "wild sex comedy" and an "orgy of mischievous fun." The relationship comedy, written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones, has been described as intermittently hilarious, sad, and thought-provoking, with many married couples expected to find its themes relatable.
The film unfolds over the course of an evening, centering on Angela (Wilde) and Joe (Seth Rogen), a couple whose 12-year marriage has become strained. Their daughter is away for the night when Angela invites their upstairs neighbors, Pina (Penelope Cruz) and Hawk (Edward Norton), for dinner. Joe is initially resistant to the dinner, primarily due to the disruptive noise from his neighbors' late-night activities.
The dinner itself proves to be an awkward affair, marked by missed cues regarding dietary restrictions and social blunders. Despite the mounting tension, the evening takes a surprising turn when the neighbors reveal that their rowdy upstairs activities involve group sex. This revelation sparks intrigue in Joe and Angela, leading to discussions about participating in such activities.
The script cleverly addresses the perceived physical mismatch between Rogen and Wilde, with Joe's disbelieving "Me too?" serving as a "gloriously mischievous and subversive reference to the hashtag movement." Pina, who is revealed to be a professional sexologist, questions whether Joe and Angela are ready for group intimacy, suggesting partner swapping as an alternative.
While "The Invite" might evoke comparisons to the 1969 farce "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice," critics note that it offers a more profound exploration of the human and marital condition. This film marks another directorial success for Wilde, following her acclaimed 2019 coming-of-age comedy "Booksmart."
