Olivia Wilde’s A24 Comedy ‘The Invite’ Releases New Clip Ahead of Wide Release

Sundance breakouts don’t always lead to theatrical excitement, but A24 has been generating buzz for one of its most talked-about festival acquisitions throughout the summer. The distributor has been consistently ramping up marketing for its raucous dinner party comedy, and the latest promotional effort comes just as the film gears up for its wide release.

‘The Invite‘ made its debut at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it reportedly ignited a multi-day bidding war among distributors before A24 secured the project. Directed by and starring Olivia Wilde, the film features a star-studded cast including Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton, making the ensemble a key highlight of the marketing campaign.

A24 has released a new clip from the film ahead of its nationwide rollout on July 10, following a limited theatrical release that began on June 26. The brief scene features Rogen’s character Joe conversing with Cruz’s character Piña, delivering a loaded line about conventions that hints at the tension central to the film’s dinner party setting.

The dinner party concept is central to the narrative, which follows Joe and his wife Angela, played by Wilde, as their strained marriage faces challenges when they invite their upstairs neighbors Piña and Hawk, portrayed by Cruz and Norton, over for an evening that takes unexpected turns. The film is an English-language remake of the 2020 Spanish film ‘The People Upstairs’ by Cesc Gay, adapted by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack.

So far, critical reception has been largely positive, with reviewers praising the chemistry among the four leads, even as some have noted mixed reactions to the film’s pacing and tonal shifts. Rogen has been particularly highlighted, with one review noting his performance as a departure from his typical boisterous comedic style to a portrayal of middle-aged discontent, which many critics have deemed one of the film’s most surprising aspects.

Norton, who plays the charmingly smarmy Hawk, discussed the unconventional rehearsal process during the film’s Sundance run, sharing with IndieWire that it felt less like traditional rehearsals and more like an infusion, with Wilde drawing out each actor’s unique interpretation of their character. He remarked that being invited to help build that chemistry from scratch could be a nightmare for some directors, but it worked beautifully under Wilde’s guidance.

The film also carries a personal significance, as it is dedicated to Diane Keaton, who passed away in October 2025. Wilde has expressed how supportive Keaton was throughout her career, adding emotional depth to a project that otherwise leans into dark comedy and social discomfort.

Beyond its impressive cast, ‘The Invite’ marks Wilde’s third directorial effort following ‘Booksmart’ and ‘Don’t Worry Darling’, continuing her trend of alternating between broad comedic themes and more nuanced, uncomfortable relationship dynamics. The film’s score is composed by Devonté Hynes, with the soundtrack released digitally through A24 Music alongside the film’s June 26 debut.

With the wide release just a day away, ‘The Invite’ is positioning itself as one of the summer’s more unique counterprogramming options against the usual blockbuster fare dominating theaters. Given its strong festival buzz and the star power of its compact cast, the film seems well-equipped to find its audience as it expands into cinemas nationwide.

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