Olivia Wilde directs relationship comedy ‘The Invite’

The film ‘The Invite’, directed by Olivia Wilde, is a relationship comedy that explores themes of monogamy, purpose, and the evolution of long-term partnerships. Adapted from the 2020 Spanish film ‘The People Upstairs’, the story centers on a married couple, Joe (played by Seth Rogen) and Angela (played by Olivia Wilde), whose lives have become defined by predictable routines and constant bickering.

The couple’s domestic stability is contrasted by their upstairs neighbors, Piña (Penélope Cruz) and Hawk (Edward Norton), who practice an openly nonmonogamous and sexually liberated lifestyle. The film uses this dynamic to examine the cracks in traditional relationship structures and asks whether individuals should accept dissatisfaction within the confines of conventional marriage.

Critics have noted the film’s strong production design and cinematography, particularly its ability to make a single San Francisco apartment setting feel cinematic. The performances, specifically Wilde’s portrayal of a high-strung character, have been highlighted as a departure from her previous roles.