Olivia Wilde's 'The Invite' praised at Sundance 2026

Olivia Wilde directs the 2026 film *The Invite*, a tightly staged dinner‑party drama that uses humor and tension to explore intimacy, desire and routine in modern relationships. Reviewers highlight the strong performances of Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton, noting Wilde’s skill at turning a simple domestic setting into a psychological battlefield.

The film marks a redemption for Wilde after earlier setbacks, following her acclaimed Sundance debut with *Super Bad* in 2019 and a turbulent 2022 release that was marred by on‑set controversies. *The Invite* demonstrates her continued growth as a director, combining witty dialogue with genuine vulnerability and receiving positive responses at the 2026 Sundance festival.

The movie is noted for its theatrical roots, drawing on Spanish play *Los vecinos de arriba*, and for turning ordinary conversation into a compelling cinematic conflict.