“It’ll be fun.”
That’s the promise — or warning — at the center of The Invite, Olivia Wilde’s new comedy that premiered at Sundance earlier this year. The film marks Wilde’s latest turn behind the camera while also starring onscreen, alongside Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton. With its trailer now released, the film offers a first look at a dinner party that quickly becomes more complicated than expected.
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Read on for everything to know about The Invite.
The plot
The story follows Joe (Seth Rogen) and Angela (Olivia Wilde), a married couple navigating a rough period in their relationship. Hoping to break out of their routine, they invite their neighbors over for dinner. As the night unfolds, the situation evolves in a way that forces both couples to confront questions about trust, boundaries, and their relationships.
The Invite is an English-language remake of the Spanish film The People Upstairs, directed by Cesc Gay.
Watch the trailer
The Cast
The film centers primarily on a four-person ensemble that includes Seth Rogen as Joe, opposite Olivia Wilde as Angela. Their neighbors are portrayed by Penélope Cruz as Pína and Edward Norton as Hawk.
The premiere date
The Invite premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 24, 2026 before being acquired by A24 for distribution.
The film is scheduled to open in select theaters on June 26 before expanding nationwide in July.
The creative team
The Invite is directed by Olivia Wilde and written by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack, who previously collaborated on Celeste & Jesse Forever. The film is based on The People Upstairs by Cesc Gay.
Behind the scenes, cinematography is by Adam Newport-Berra, with editing by Yorgos Mavropsaridis and Anthony Boys, and a score composed by Devonté Hynes. Producers are Ben Browning, Megan Ellison, and David Permut, for Annapurna Pictures, FilmNation Entertainment, and Permut Presentations.
Awards chances
Following its premiere at Sundance, The Invite received generally positive reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 91% approval rating based on 33 reviews, while Metacritic reports a score of 77 out of 100 from 14 critics.
While it’s still early to project major awards for an unreleased film, there is notable pedigree behind The Invite. Edward Norton and Penélope Cruz are both four-time Oscar nominees, with Cruz winning in 2009 for Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Seth Rogen is a four-time Emmy winner for The Studio, while Olivia Wilde won an Independent Spirit Award for directing Booksmart and received the Graffetta d’Oro for Best Film at the Venice Film Festival for Don’t Worry Darling.
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