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Olivia Wildes The Invite Premieres at Sundance, Sets Summer Release
Olivia Wilde’s third feature as a director, The Invite, opened the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on January 24 and will hit U.S. theaters in late June. The 107‑minute comedy‑drama, produced by A24, follows a San Francisco couple whose marriage is on the brink after they invite their upstairs neighbors for an impromptu dinner.
The film stars Wilde as Angela, a woman who has spent years trying to keep her relationship with her husband, Joe (Seth Rogen), afloat. Joe, an associate professor at a modest music conservatory, returns home exhausted after a bike ride up the hills. The couple’s tension escalates when Angela has prepared a meal for the neighbors, Penélope Cruz’s character Pina and Edward Norton’s character Hawk, who are described as a psychotherapist and a firefighter, respectively. The neighbors are known for their loud, early‑morning sex parties, a fact that fuels Joe’s frustration and Angela’s anxiety.
The Invite is an English‑language remake of the 2020 Spanish film The People Upstairs by director Cesc Gay. The screenplay, written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones, adapts the original’s single‑location, dialogue‑heavy structure. According to the film’s official page, the story is set entirely in the couple’s apartment, creating a “drawing‑room comedy of manners” that relies on sharp, rhythmic exchanges.
The film’s release schedule follows a staggered rollout. A24 announced on February 19 that The Invite would open in limited theaters on June 26, 2026, with a nationwide expansion on July 10. The United Kingdom and Ireland will receive the film on July 3.
Wilde’s directorial career began with the teen comedy Booksmart (2019), which earned her an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature. Her next film, the sci‑fi thriller Don Worry Darling (2022), received mixed reviews and was described as “clunky” by some critics. The Invite has been praised for its “bravura dinner‑party dramedy” and is considered by several reviewers to be Wilde’s strongest work to date.
The film’s cast brings a blend of comedic and dramatic talent. Rogen, known for his work in Superbad and The 40‑Year‑Old Virgin, plays a husband who is “shocked to learn their 12‑year‑old daughter is at a sleepover” and is “only interested in a noise complaint.” Cruz, a two‑time Academy Award winner, portrays a confident, “glamorous” neighbor who speaks with “in‑touch‑with‑themselves harmony.” Norton, celebrated for roles in Fight Club and Birdman, plays a firefighter who embraces the tension of the evening.
The film’s thematic focus centers on marital strain, sexual curiosity, and the possibility of renewal. Wilde’s screenplay incorporates topics such as perimenopause, paint color, and the music of Sade, while the score by Dev Hynes reflects Angela’s nervous energy. The film’s title refers to an “offer made mid‑evening” rather than a literal dinner invitation.
The Invite is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for sexual content, language, and drug use. It has received a 3.5‑star rating from a review outlet that noted the film’s “cunning syncopation” and “clever acting.” The film’s premiere at Sundance was met with positive reviews, and the film’s limited release is expected to attract audiences interested in character‑driven comedies.
In summary, The Invite is a single‑location comedy that revisits the dynamics of a strained marriage through a night of unexpected encounters. With a strong cast, a proven director, and a release strategy that leverages festival buzz, the film is positioned to make a notable impact in the 2026 summer lineup.
The film stars Wilde as Angela, a woman who has spent years trying to keep her relationship with her husband, Joe (Seth Rogen), afloat. Joe, an associate professor at a modest music conservatory, returns home exhausted after a bike ride up the hills. The couple’s tension escalates when Angela has prepared a meal for the neighbors, Penélope Cruz’s character Pina and Edward Norton’s character Hawk, who are described as a psychotherapist and a firefighter, respectively. The neighbors are known for their loud, early‑morning sex parties, a fact that fuels Joe’s frustration and Angela’s anxiety.
The Invite is an English‑language remake of the 2020 Spanish film The People Upstairs by director Cesc Gay. The screenplay, written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones, adapts the original’s single‑location, dialogue‑heavy structure. According to the film’s official page, the story is set entirely in the couple’s apartment, creating a “drawing‑room comedy of manners” that relies on sharp, rhythmic exchanges.
The film’s release schedule follows a staggered rollout. A24 announced on February 19 that The Invite would open in limited theaters on June 26, 2026, with a nationwide expansion on July 10. The United Kingdom and Ireland will receive the film on July 3.
Wilde’s directorial career began with the teen comedy Booksmart (2019), which earned her an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature. Her next film, the sci‑fi thriller Don Worry Darling (2022), received mixed reviews and was described as “clunky” by some critics. The Invite has been praised for its “bravura dinner‑party dramedy” and is considered by several reviewers to be Wilde’s strongest work to date.
The film’s cast brings a blend of comedic and dramatic talent. Rogen, known for his work in Superbad and The 40‑Year‑Old Virgin, plays a husband who is “shocked to learn their 12‑year‑old daughter is at a sleepover” and is “only interested in a noise complaint.” Cruz, a two‑time Academy Award winner, portrays a confident, “glamorous” neighbor who speaks with “in‑touch‑with‑themselves harmony.” Norton, celebrated for roles in Fight Club and Birdman, plays a firefighter who embraces the tension of the evening.
The film’s thematic focus centers on marital strain, sexual curiosity, and the possibility of renewal. Wilde’s screenplay incorporates topics such as perimenopause, paint color, and the music of Sade, while the score by Dev Hynes reflects Angela’s nervous energy. The film’s title refers to an “offer made mid‑evening” rather than a literal dinner invitation.
The Invite is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for sexual content, language, and drug use. It has received a 3.5‑star rating from a review outlet that noted the film’s “cunning syncopation” and “clever acting.” The film’s premiere at Sundance was met with positive reviews, and the film’s limited release is expected to attract audiences interested in character‑driven comedies.
In summary, The Invite is a single‑location comedy that revisits the dynamics of a strained marriage through a night of unexpected encounters. With a strong cast, a proven director, and a release strategy that leverages festival buzz, the film is positioned to make a notable impact in the 2026 summer lineup.