Olivia Wilde directs ‘The Invite’ starring Seth Rogen and Penélope Cruz

Olivia Wilde’s third directorial feature, ‘The Invite’, is receiving positive critical and audience reception. A remake of the Spanish film ‘Sentimental’, the romantic comedy-drama is set almost entirely within a single San Francisco apartment during a dinner party.

The film stars Wilde alongside Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton. The plot follows Joe and Angela, a couple facing marital strain, as they host their enigmatic neighbors, Piña and Hawk. The evening serves as a catalyst for uncovering secrets, insecurities, and tensions regarding intimacy and social status.

Production for the film utilized an unconventional approach, with the cast rehearsing together for two weeks and shooting the story in chronological order to allow for spontaneous discoveries. Following a successful presentation at the Locarno Film Festival, the film is scheduled for a wider release in Italian cinemas on September 16.