Olivia Wilde's New Film 'The Invite' Opens to Critical Acclaim and Strong Box Office
Olivia Wilde's latest directorial effort, The Invite, has garnered widespread praise from critics and audiences alike. The film, which stars Wilde alongside Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton, has already grossed more than £14 million globally since its release earlier this month.
The satire explores modern American relationships through the lens of a dinner party. Wilde plays Angela, an uptight former interior designer, opposite Rogen's Joe, a failed musician. The couple's fragile marriage is tested when their sexually liberated neighbours—therapist Pina (Cruz) and ex-firefighter Hawk (Norton)—arrive for dinner, challenging their prudish attitudes in hilarious and uncomfortable ways.
Wilde on the Film's Deceptively Simple Premise
Speaking on The Arts Hour on the BBC World Service, Wilde, 42, described the film as having a "deceptively simple premise." She explained, "You think, 'ok, a dinner party. Four people in a room. Sweet little chamber piece.' And then it obviously had the potential to be something that would punch you in the gut and make you laugh hard at yourself, which is what we all need."
The film's script was adapted from a Spanish play by Cesc Gay, which was turned into the Spanish film The People Upstairs. Wilde noted that the English-language version was written by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack. "Then we gathered the greatest actors of all time—Edward, Penelope and Seth—and we got into a room and we tore this script apart and we made it our own," she said. The film was shot in order on 35mm film.
Improved Kiss and On-Set Chemistry
During filming, Cruz improvised a kiss with Wilde, which made it into the final cut. Wilde recalled, "My mind went blank because I was so struck by this moment. I lost control. I was so madly in love with her!" She admitted that her flustered reaction was genuine, and she would welcome a repeat performance, joking, "I was like, 'oh, hair in the gate. Do [it] again!'"
The film's score, composed by Devonté Hynes (known as Blood Orange), features tracks like "Contentious Environment" and "They're On Their Way." Wilde praised Hynes, saying, "I love Dev's work in film and I also know he's a cellist... I knew this film needed a score that would have this kind of disproportionately dramatic tone." She described the music as "another character in the film."
Wilde's Personal Life and Lessons from the Film
Wilde is currently dating British art dealer Caspar Jopling, 34, the ex-husband of singer Ellie Goulding. She said of the relationship, "I'm in a really lovely relationship now. I adore him, and I feel completely whole and intact as a person. I think it's only possible after spending a couple of years alone." Wilde previously dated pop star Harry Styles, 32, for two years, and was engaged to actor Jason Sudeikis, 50, with whom she co-parents two children, Otis, 12, and Daisy, 9.
Wilde reflected on what she learned from playing Angela: "I really learned from this character and from these people the importance of autonomy within a relationship, that you have to maintain your whole self. You can't blame someone else for your unhappiness, you can't resent someone for your own misery."
Box Office Success and Critical Reception
The Invite has been praised for capturing the palpable discomfort of strained social interactions. The film's apartment setting, Wilde noted, "had to tell such a big part of the story." She explained that Rogen's character inherited the flat but cannot afford it, creating a sense of shame and insecurity that drives the narrative.
The full interview with Olivia Wilde can be heard on The Arts Hour on BBC Sounds.
