Story perspectives

Olivia Wilde's “The Invite” Unveils Sex-Party Twist, Earns Praise

7/2/2026

Summary

Olivia Wilde Releases

A24 released the R-rated film “The Invite,” directed by Olivia Wilde, which runs 107 minutes and is now in cinemas.
Olivia Wilde stars as Angela, Seth Rogen as Joe, Penélope Cruz as Piña, and Edward Norton as Hawk.
During dinner Hawk and Piña disclose they host sex parties and invite the couple to a foursome.
Critics gave three-and-a-half stars out of four, praising Rogen and Norton while calling Dev Hynes’s score intrusive.

Summary

Wilde Directs

Wilde shot “The Invite” sequentially, letting actors improvise and create a quartet rhythm.
Norton wrote and performed a key monologue that deepens his character’s arc.
First-assistant camera Lucas Deans timed focus pulls to match the actors, reinforcing musical cohesion.
Psychotherapist Esther Perel consulted on the script, shaping its portrayal of marriage challenges.
Early screenings at Boston’s Independent Film Festival and a Love Letters podcast interview showcased the film’s themes.

History

Historical Context

In December 1999, New Line Cinema released Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia, which earned critical praise and grossed $48.5 million worldwide on a $37 million budget. A24 co-founder Daniel Katz later called its 107-minute improvisational ensemble a model for indie projects. Olivia Wilde’s 2015 thriller The Invite uses similar improvisation, illustrating Magnolia’s lasting impact on festival-programmed independent cinema.

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Olivia Wilde Releases

A24 released the R-rated film “The Invite,” directed by Olivia Wilde, which runs 107 minutes and is now in cinemas.
Olivia Wilde stars as Angela, Seth Rogen as Joe, Penélope Cruz as Piña, and Edward Norton as Hawk.
During dinner Hawk and Piña disclose they host sex parties and invite the couple to a foursome.
Critics gave three-and-a-half stars out of four, praising Rogen and Norton while calling Dev Hynes’s score intrusive.

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