Olivia Wilde and Penélope Cruz Shine at A24’s ‘The Invite’ Premiere

The premiere of A24’s ‘The Invite’ was a standout cultural event, held at The DGA Theatre in Los Angeles on June 24. The star-studded event featured notable attendees like Seth Rogen, Olivia Wilde, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton.

As photos from the evening circulated on social media, it was the captivating duo of Wilde and Cruz who drew the most attention, with excitement surrounding the film matching their impressive presence on the red carpet.

‘The Invite’ represents a significant moment for Wilde as a filmmaker. This marks her third directorial effort, following ‘Booksmart’ in 2019 and ‘Don’t Worry Darling’, and she also stars alongside Seth Rogen as a couple whose marriage is on shaky ground.

The screenplay, penned by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack, is an English-language remake of the beloved Spanish comedy ‘The People Upstairs’. Wilde’s choice to tackle such a complex project showcases her creative ambition.

The journey to this premiere was anything but quiet. Following its debut at the Eccles Theater during the Sundance Film Festival in January, a bidding war ensued, with multiple studios vying for distribution rights. Bids soared as high as $10 million before A24 and Focus Features narrowed the competition, with offers exceeding $12 million. Ultimately, A24 secured the North American rights, and their strategy to position the film for a summer theatrical release appears to be paying off.

At its core, ‘The Invite’ tells a seemingly simple story. It follows Joe and Angela, a couple whose relationship is strained, as they host their mysterious upstairs neighbors for dinner. The evening takes unexpected turns, raising questions about whether they have rekindled their romance or ignited a destructive fire. Cruz and Edward Norton portray the neighbors, with the dynamics between the two couples driving the narrative.

The film’s casting adds a unique sense of occasion. With Edward Norton and Penélope Cruz both being four-time Oscar nominees—Cruz winning for ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’—and Seth Rogen a four-time Emmy winner for ‘The Studio’, the ensemble is impressive. Wilde herself earned an Independent Spirit Award for directing ‘Booksmart’. Bringing together such talent for an intimate four-character piece is a bold move, and early reports suggest it has paid off. Wilde expressed her gratitude, stating, “You can’t imagine what a gift it is for any director to have a cast who is so completely engaged at all times.”

Before the red carpet moments went viral, the critical reception provided a clear indication of what audiences could expect. Following its Sundance premiere, ‘The Invite’ boasts a 93 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 77 out of 100. The positive reviews have positioned it as a potential contender for awards season, a remarkable feat for a comedy centered around a dinner party gone awry.

The significance of these ratings is amplified by Wilde’s insights during the film’s Sundance run. Speaking to IndieWire about the film’s journey outside the traditional studio system, she remarked, “I think it just proves every single time that the movies that are made outside the system, and therefore with the freedom to allow for creative experimentation, they are always the ones that ultimately the studios end up recognizing as being valuable because those are the movies the audiences want.”

With ‘The Invite’ set to open in limited release on June 26 before expanding nationwide on July 10, A24 is strategically targeting adult audiences eager for smart, R-rated comedy. Late June has become a prime time for counterprogramming, especially for adult-oriented comedies that thrive on word of mouth. Given the impressive talent involved and the growing critical acclaim, A24’s confidence in this release seems well-placed.

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