Olivia Wilde’s “The Invite” Turns Marital Insecurities Into One Of The Smartest And Relatable Comedies Of The Year
by Tanishtha Kotian · BuzzFeedPosted 17 minutes ago
“One should always be in love. That is the reason one should never marry.” —Oscar Wilde
This is the quote Olivia Wilde’s directorial venture, The Invite, opened with, setting the stage for what was about to unfold in the next hour and 47 minutes. When I read those words, I knew I was in for a treat.
The film follows Joe (Seth Rogen) and Angela (Olivia Wilde), whose marriage is already on thin ice when they invite their enigmatic neighbors, Hawk (Edward Norton) and Piña (Penelope Cruz) for dinner in their San Francisco apartment.
As the two couples get together, the cracks within their relationships start to widen, revealing devastating truths about love and marriage. What unfolds is a hilariously awkward dinner party that feels painfully relatable.
The Invite premiered on July 10, 2026, and is based on Cesc Gay's stage play, "The People Upstairs”. Since its worldwide release, the internet is flooded with reviews of people praising the comic timing of the actors, the impeccable writing, and the authentic portrayal of a marriage on the brink of collapse. And frankly, I was completely captivated too.
It had been a long time since I laughed out loud in a movie theater. I knew Seth Rogen would give one of his best performances from the moment he appeared on screen, but I wasn't expecting Edward Norton's effortless, witty humor. His performance made me feel as if I were in the room with him, discussing his love for rugs. Penelope Cruz delivered a standout performance. Just like Angela, I wanted to be friends with Piña because she was so stylish! Having said that, Olivia Wilde deserves applause for her versatility.
It only takes a few minutes into the movie for the audience to realize how dysfunctional Joe and Angela's marriage is. Joe refuses to host the couple because he is frustrated by the constant loud sex noises coming from their apartment, but Angela wants to call them because she thinks they’re cool. Clearly, they’re not on the same page. From the get-go, I could tell that Joe’s stubbornness and Angela’s anxiousness would result in some uncomfortable moments. And my, was I right!
Wilde's directorial vision for the two couples becomes clear as the film progresses. Their facades begin to vanish, and their conversations get real. Their differences gradually widen, revealing one secure couple—Hawk and Piña—and one extremely insecure couple—Joe and Angela. From the beginning of the dinner party, Joe and Angela project their own insecurities onto their neighbors, trying to find some fault in their relationship.
Joe is reluctant to get friendly with Hawk, passing snide comments about his name and his job. Hawk speaks without a filter, which charms Angela but repulses Joe. Joe tries to shame his neighbors by repeatedly attempting to confront them about the inappropriate loud noises. Angela tries to impress Piña and Hawk with her inadequate hosting skills, resulting in a few hilariously awkward scenes, including her offering Piña dry-cured ham which she rejects because she is a vegetarian. But the film's tone shifts completely when Hawk and Piña apologize to Joe and Angela for disturbing them with their sex parties. In that moment, the former subconsciously take control, leaving the married couple at a loss for words.
Then comes the turning point of the film: Piña reveals that she wanted to invite Joe and Angela to have sex with her and Hawk. In this moment, the audience finally sees Joe and Angela moving harmoniously. Their reaction to being invited to partake in such an intimate activity reveals how the two were craving intimacy but were not able to communicate it.
Joe and Angela aspire to have the open, engaging, and exciting relationship that Hawk and Piña have, but their own insecurities sabotage their relationship.
Hawk and Piña are only able to have such a loving relationship because their previous relationships were forced to end, and they realized what they desired out of life. They communicated their desires and actively worked to make each other happy, which Joe and Angela never did.
The Invite forces viewers to confront that marriage never guarantees love for eternity, and love never guarantees a happy marriage. People misunderstand the relationship between love and marriage, much like in the Oscar Wilde quote. There are various notions of how marriage works—some think it is about how much you love someone, or that once you are married, no effort is required.
Joe and Angela represent the modern couple in today's marriage landscape. Marriage rates have fallen more than 10% over the last two decades, suggesting that adults no longer see marriage as a priority in their lives. Americans are also having doubts about whether marriage leads to a better life. According to this report, 55% of single women and 22% of married women believe that single women are happier than married women. Men, on the other hand, reject the idea that single women can be happier than married women. However, both men and women agree that single men are not happier than married men.
We see this in Joe and Angela’s relationship. Joe is miserable because of his band’s failure and because he is stuck teaching music at a high school. His lack in personal achievement affects his ability to prioritize his marriage. Meanwhile, Angela feels unnoticed by Joe. When Hawk compliments Angela’s paintings and designs, Angela almost cries, implying that she finally feels appreciated.