It’s not often that I walk out of a movie theater feeling like I have absolutely nothing to critique.
No scenes I would’ve changed. No performances that missed the mark. No pacing issues. Not even one moment where I thought, “I wish they had done that differently.”
Instead, I walked out with nothing but excitement. I had experienced what I consider a perfect film.
That’s exactly what The Invite delivers.
Directed by Olivia Wilde and starring Olivia Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton, the film is based on the Spanish film Sentimental, with a screenplay by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones.
I don’t want to dumb down the plot, and I definitely don’t want to spoil anything. At its core, it’s about a couple who invite their neighbors over for dinner, and things gradually spiral out of control. That’s all you need to know going in.
The Screenplay Is Outstanding
Everything starts with the writing.
The screenplay is phenomenal. The dialogue flows naturally, the pacing is perfect, and every conversation feels like it’s building toward something. There isn’t a wasted moment.
What impressed me most is how every character matters. Nobody feels like they’re standing around in the background waiting for their next line. Every single person has a purpose, and each character gets their chance to shine. You genuinely want to know more about all of them.
The audience in my theater was laughing throughout the film. It has a lot of heart, but it’s also incredibly funny. Considering Rashida Jones co-wrote it, the humor shouldn’t come as a surprise, but it still exceeded my expectations.
Olivia Wilde’s Best Work Yet
I have so much to say about Olivia Wilde’s directing.
The performances she gets from this cast are incredible, but it’s everything surrounding those performances that really stood out to me. The framing, the cinematography, and the way scenes are blocked all work together beautifully.
There were multiple moments where I found myself wondering what was going through Olivia Wilde’s mind while directing a particular scene because every choice felt intentional. Nothing felt accidental.
That’s the sign of a filmmaker who knows exactly what they’re trying to accomplish.
After watching The Invite, I genuinely can’t wait to see what she directs next. I think she has the potential to become one of the great directors working today.
The Cast Is Fantastic
Seth Rogen completely surprised me. I’ll be honest. There are times when Seth Rogen can annoy me in certain roles. Here, none of that happened.
Maybe this character was perfectly written for him. Maybe it wasn’t. Either way, I don’t care because he absolutely delivers. He still brings that Seth Rogen personality, but it’s grounded. I actually cared about his character. I felt compassion for him instead of seeing him as another over-the-top goofball.
Then there’s Penélope Cruz. Yes, she’s beautiful, but when she’s on screen, that’s not what you’re thinking about. You’re thinking about what an incredible actress she is. She disappears into the role, and that’s what great actors do.
The entire cast is outstanding.
Every Detail Matters
One thing that kept running through my mind while watching this movie was how much care went into making it.
The sound design is perfect.
The cinematography is beautiful.
The direction is confident.
Every creative decision feels deliberate.
This is one of those films where you can feel the passion behind it. You can tell the people making it cared deeply about every detail, and that comes through on screen.
Final Verdict
The Invite is a perfect 5 out of 5 for me. That doesn’t happen often.
It’s hilarious, heartfelt, brilliantly acted, beautifully directed, and one of the best-written films I’ve seen in a long time.
Don’t walk. Run. Go see this movie.
