What is the movie The Invite about? Olivia Wilde’s A24 comedy-drama follows a strained marriage through one explosive dinner party. The film began streaming exclusively on HBO Max in the U.S. on Friday, October 23, 2026. It then aired on HBO on Saturday, October 24, at 8 p.m. ET.
The Invite premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2026. A24 won a competitive bidding war for the film after that screening. It opened in limited release on June 26, 2026, and expanded nationwide on July 10, 2026. A digital rental and purchase release followed on August 11, 2026.
The Invite at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Director | Olivia Wilde |
| Writers | Will McCormack and Rashida Jones |
| Studio | A24 |
| Genre | Comedy-drama |
| MPA rating | R |
| Runtime | 1 hour 47 minutes |
| Sundance premiere | January 24, 2026 |
| U.S. theatrical release | June 26, 2026 (limited), July 10, 2026 (nationwide) |
| Digital release | August 11, 2026 |
| HBO Max streaming | October 23, 2026 |
What Is the Movie The Invite About?
Joe (Seth Rogen) and Angela (Olivia Wilde) share a San Francisco apartment and a marriage on thin ice. Joe is a one-hit-wonder rocker turned music teacher. Angela stays home and tries to keep the peace.
Their upstairs neighbors keep them awake with loud sex noises. Joe wants to confront them. Angela wants to impress them, so she invites Piña and Hawk over for dinner.
The evening shifts when the guests reveal their own agenda. Piña, a sex therapist, and Hawk host sex parties, and they hope to bring Joe and Angela along. A tense dinner turns into a candid, uncomfortable look at desire, resentment, and communication.
The film also works as a remake. It adapts the 2020 Spanish film The People Upstairs, also known as Sentimental, from director Cesc Gay. Wilde shot most of the story in one apartment, and the production filmed scenes in story order.
The Invite Movie Cast
Four credited actors carry the entire film:
- Seth Rogen plays Joe, the music teacher who gave up on his rock dreams.
- Olivia Wilde plays Angela, who craves her neighbors’ approval and her husband’s attention.
- Penélope Cruz plays Piña, the confident sex therapist upstairs.
- Edward Norton plays Hawk, Piña’s easygoing partner.
Wilde also directs. This is her third feature, following Booksmart (2019) and Don’t Worry Darling (2022). Rashida Jones and Will McCormack, who previously wrote Celeste and Jesse Forever together, wrote the script.
Ben Browning, Megan Ellison, and David Permut produced the film. Devonté Hynes composed the score, and A24 Music released the soundtrack digitally on June 26, 2026.
Is The Invite a Good Movie?
Most critics say yes. Rotten Tomatoes has shown critic scores in the 90s since the Sundance premiere. Metacritic placed the film at 82, which falls in its “universal acclaim” range. Audience reaction has stayed strong too.
Reviewers praised the ensemble above all. Rolling Stone’s David Fear found the film lively rather than stagebound. The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney argued it should quiet doubters of Wilde’s directing. The Daily Beast’s Nick Schager called it funny and moving. Empire gave it four out of five stars.
Not everyone agrees. Vulture’s Bilge Ebiri felt the characters never come across as real people. The AV Club gave the film a B-. Several critics also point to a third act that shifts from sharp comedy to heavier emotion.
The verdict depends on your taste. Viewers who enjoy talky, adult relationship comedies will likely have a great time. Anyone uneasy about frank sex talk may squirm. Several critics suggest watching it with a friend rather than your partner.
The Invite Common Sense Media Rating
Parents often check The Invite Common Sense Media review before pressing play. Common Sense Media recommends the film for ages 16 and up. Reviewer Tara McNamara describes it as an anti-marriage sex comedy. The MPA gave it an R rating for sexual material, language throughout, and drug use.
Here is how Common Sense Media breaks down the content:
- Language: “A lot.” The review cites extremely strong, often sexual language.
- Sex and nudity: “A lot.” Characters hold detailed conversations about group sex and open relationships, and one couple appears in position for a sex act.
- Drinking and drugs: “A lot.” Characters smoke pot to relax, knock back tequila shots, and treat wine as a dinner party staple.
- Violence: “Very little.” The film shows frequent bickering and nothing more.
- Positive messages: “Very little.” The strongest takeaway says people’s lives result from their own choices.
Parent reviewers on the site lean older, with two parent reviews suggesting 17 and up. Common Sense Media advises previewing the movie before watching with a teen.
The Invite Ending Explained
Spoiler warning: this section reveals how the film finishes.
After Piña and Hawk make their offer, the night unravels. Angela freezes before sex with Hawk. Joe falls while dancing with Piña and hurts his back. Another fight erupts between Joe and Angela, and Joe lashes out at the neighbors.
Piña then tells the couple she believes their marriage has run its course. Joe and Angela agree and start discussing next steps. Piña and Hawk quietly slip out while the couple talks.
Joe walks to the piano in his study, an instrument he refused to touch earlier. He starts to play. Angela joins him on the bench, and the two play together.
The scene mirrors the opening flashback, which shows the couple laughing at the piano during happier times. That flashback comes with an Oscar Wilde quote against marriage.
Viewers debate what the duet means. One reading sees a tender goodbye, a final shared moment before they part. Another sees a fresh start, with honesty finally clearing the way to rebuild.
The film never confirms which reading is right. It never shows whether Joe and Angela stay together. That open ending leaves each viewer to decide.
Where to Watch The Invite
HBO Max offers the film to U.S. subscribers as of October 23, 2026. HBO’s linear channel carried it on October 24. The streaming debut follows A24’s output deal with Warner Bros. Discovery.
Digital rental and purchase options launched on August 11, 2026, on platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. Launch pricing was $19.99 to rent and $24.99 to buy. Check your platform for current prices.
Did The Invite leave you hopeful for Joe and Angela, or sure they are done? Share your take in the comments and check back for more movie updates.