The Invite (2026)

The Invite

• This is why I don’t look up film plots, because this was so much funnier than it would’ve been if I knew what was going to go down. The two big factors that got me to watch it is the fact it was distributed by A24, and the cast of only four people. They already had me at Edward Norton, but then throw in Seth Rogen, Olivia Wilde, and Penelope Cruz, and yeah, we’re talking one of the best casts of the year. It’s crazy what only four people are able to do. Apparently, it’s also an English remake of a Spanish film, so maybe I should get on watching that. Anyways, it’s certainly one of the most uncomfortable comedies I’ve seen in recent years, but in the best way possible. It takes a deep dive into relationships and connections between people, but in a way that you aren’t expecting. The screenplay is very witty and smart, using dialogue that comes off as natural, but is utilized in a versatile way. As simple as it seems, it’s the juice behind everything. I could also say that about the score as well. It’s minimal in terms of length, and there are quite a few scenes where the focus is solely on the characters, as opposed to music and visuals. But when the score is present (specifically in the opening few minutes), it completely sets the mood and throws you in a mess of tension. Each performance also delivers, as mentioned earlier. Rogen shows how he’s not just some throwaway doofy actor (I never think he was, but some people on Twitter say different), Norton is charismatic and vulnerable, Cruz is powerful, and Wilde is the standout and most passionate of the four. Not only was her direction on the whole film incredible, but she really drives home the feeling that’s beneath the script. Overall, this is a memorable film that had me cracking up quite a bit, but also throws some very emotional punches that anyone can relate to. I would recommend it to all dramedy fans. This film is officially Berry Approved, so go see it now!