A new comedy film, "The Invite," stars Seth Rogen and Olivia Wilde as a married couple, Joe and Angela, who live in an old San Francisco apartment building. They welcome their new neighbors, Hawk and Pína, played by Edward Norton and Penélope Cruz, for dinner, setting off a chain of events that exposes the tensions in their relationships.
The dynamics between the couples are clear from the start, with Joe and Angela exchanging passive-aggressive jabs, while Hawk and Pína openly display their intimacy. As the evening unfolds, tensions escalate, leading to hilarious consequences. Joe, a former musician turned music teacher, is tired and unfulfilled, while Angela, a former artist turned stay-at-home mom, is on edge and demanding.
Hawk, an eccentric firefighter, and his seductive Spanish girlfriend, Pína, reveal their secrets for keeping life exciting, and extend an invitation to Joe and Angela. The film, adapted from a 2020 Spanish film, maintains the intimacy of a staged production, with the director brilliantly fueling anxiety and making the audience feel like they're part of the gathering.
"The Invite" draws inspiration from classic films like "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice," combining relationship angst with biting humor. The screenplay is sharp and witty, packed with humorous one-liners that will leave viewers laughing.
The cast delivers strong performances, with Rogen playing his typical goofy character, while Cruz and Norton elevate the comedy to the next level. Cruz commands attention with her presence, and Norton's portrayal of Hawk is pitch-perfect. Wilde, marking her third directorial effort, shines behind the camera.
"The Invite" is a raunchy, laugh-out-loud comedy that's a welcome return to the genre. With an electric on-screen chemistry between the leads, this movie is worth a night out for some adult fun this summer. The film is rated R for mature content and has a running time of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It is set to have a wide release on July 10, 2026.
