ArtistDirect News
Olivia Wildes The Invite Premieres at Sundance, A24 Sets June 26 Release
Olivia Wilde’s third feature film, The Invite, opened at the Eccles Theater during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on January 24. The comedy, written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones, is an English‑language remake of the 2020 Spanish film The People Upstairs directed by Cesc Gay. A24 acquired the film after a bidding war and will release it in the United States on June 26, 2026.
Wilde’s directorial debut, Booksmart (2019), earned an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature. Her second film, Don’t Worry Darling (2022), received mixed reviews. The Invite is her first project to return to comedy, and critics have described it as a more focused and polished effort.
The story follows Joe (Seth Rogen), an associate professor at a San Francisco music conservatory, and his wife Angela (Olivia Wilde). The couple’s marriage is strained when Joe discovers their 12‑year‑old daughter is staying with friends for a sleepover and the upstairs neighbors are planning a dinner party. Angela has prepared a meal and a new outfit, hoping to impress the neighbors, while Joe is intent on filing a noise complaint after hearing the neighbors’ early‑morning activity. The upstairs neighbors, psychotherapist and sexologist Pína (Penélope Cruz) and firefighter Hawk (Edward Norton), arrive and the evening turns into a tense, comedic exchange.
The screenplay draws on the original Spanish film’s premise but expands on the characters’ backstories. According to Variety, the writers consulted relationship expert Esther Perel during development. The adaptation retains the single‑setting format of the original, keeping the focus on dialogue and character dynamics.
The Invite runs 107 minutes and is rated R for sexual content, language, and drug use. Dev Hynes composed the score, which critics noted complements the film’s tense atmosphere. The film’s cinematography and set design emphasize the cramped San Francisco apartment, underscoring the claustrophobic feel of the dinner party.
At Sundance, The Invite received positive reviews from film critics. The premiere was followed by a limited theatrical release announced by A24, with the film slated for June 26, 2026. A24’s distribution strategy aligns with its history of releasing character‑driven, independent films such as Everything Everywhere All At Once and Moonlight.
The cast brings a mix of comedic and dramatic talent. Wilde, who also stars as Angela, has been praised for her performance in previous projects. Rogen’s portrayal of Joe offers a contrast to Wilde’s character, while Cruz and Norton provide seasoned supporting roles that anchor the film’s humor.
Thematically, The Invite explores marital tension, modern relationships, and the boundaries of intimacy. The film’s narrative centers on a couple’s attempt to navigate a night that forces them to confront their frustrations and desires.
Industry observers note that A24’s acquisition of The Invite reflects the studio’s continued interest in films that blend comedy with social commentary. The film’s release follows A24’s recent successes in both theatrical and streaming markets.
In summary, The Invite marks Olivia Wilde’s return to comedy, features a strong ensemble cast, and is positioned for a limited theatrical release in late June 2026. The film’s adaptation of a Spanish comedy, combined with its focus on dialogue and character, has earned it early critical approval and a place in A24’s slate of independent releases.
Wilde’s directorial debut, Booksmart (2019), earned an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature. Her second film, Don’t Worry Darling (2022), received mixed reviews. The Invite is her first project to return to comedy, and critics have described it as a more focused and polished effort.
The story follows Joe (Seth Rogen), an associate professor at a San Francisco music conservatory, and his wife Angela (Olivia Wilde). The couple’s marriage is strained when Joe discovers their 12‑year‑old daughter is staying with friends for a sleepover and the upstairs neighbors are planning a dinner party. Angela has prepared a meal and a new outfit, hoping to impress the neighbors, while Joe is intent on filing a noise complaint after hearing the neighbors’ early‑morning activity. The upstairs neighbors, psychotherapist and sexologist Pína (Penélope Cruz) and firefighter Hawk (Edward Norton), arrive and the evening turns into a tense, comedic exchange.
The screenplay draws on the original Spanish film’s premise but expands on the characters’ backstories. According to Variety, the writers consulted relationship expert Esther Perel during development. The adaptation retains the single‑setting format of the original, keeping the focus on dialogue and character dynamics.
The Invite runs 107 minutes and is rated R for sexual content, language, and drug use. Dev Hynes composed the score, which critics noted complements the film’s tense atmosphere. The film’s cinematography and set design emphasize the cramped San Francisco apartment, underscoring the claustrophobic feel of the dinner party.
At Sundance, The Invite received positive reviews from film critics. The premiere was followed by a limited theatrical release announced by A24, with the film slated for June 26, 2026. A24’s distribution strategy aligns with its history of releasing character‑driven, independent films such as Everything Everywhere All At Once and Moonlight.
The cast brings a mix of comedic and dramatic talent. Wilde, who also stars as Angela, has been praised for her performance in previous projects. Rogen’s portrayal of Joe offers a contrast to Wilde’s character, while Cruz and Norton provide seasoned supporting roles that anchor the film’s humor.
Thematically, The Invite explores marital tension, modern relationships, and the boundaries of intimacy. The film’s narrative centers on a couple’s attempt to navigate a night that forces them to confront their frustrations and desires.
Industry observers note that A24’s acquisition of The Invite reflects the studio’s continued interest in films that blend comedy with social commentary. The film’s release follows A24’s recent successes in both theatrical and streaming markets.
In summary, The Invite marks Olivia Wilde’s return to comedy, features a strong ensemble cast, and is positioned for a limited theatrical release in late June 2026. The film’s adaptation of a Spanish comedy, combined with its focus on dialogue and character, has earned it early critical approval and a place in A24’s slate of independent releases.