Olivia Wilde was visibly emotional on stage at the Sundance Film Festival this Sunday, wiping away tears as her latest directorial effort, The Invite, received a rapturous standing ovation from the audience. This powerful moment marks a significant personal and professional comeback for the 41-year-old filmmaker, whose previous project, the psychological thriller Don't Worry Darling, was overshadowed by numerous controversies and public feuds.
A Triumphant Return to Directing
The new marital comedy, which features Wilde herself alongside Seth Rogen, Penelope Cruz, and Edward Norton, has already generated substantial industry buzz. The film sparked an intense 72-hour bidding war that reached over $10 million (£7.2 million), with independent studio A24 ultimately securing distribution rights against major competitors including Warner Bros, Focus Features, Netflix, Neon, Searchlight, and Sony.
Speaking to Deadline about the emotional Sundance reception, Wilde expressed overwhelming joy: "It was the best night of my life, it was so fun. To sit and laugh with that audience was just so wonderful, so full of joy, I was just levitating in my seat." She elaborated on her creative approach: "The intention was to approach it like a play. To have the opportunity to workshop it together, to live in the characters a bit, and have some time to rehearse... To make it feel authentic and natural."
Critical Acclaim and Audience Response
Early critical reception has been exceptionally positive, with the film already achieving an impressive 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Fans took to social media platform X to express their enthusiasm, with one writing: "Good for her. Glad to see her back with another excellent movie." Another commented: "Love seeing Olivia Wilde get such a heartfelt moment with a standing ovation for The Invite. It's exciting to hear how the film blends sharp humor with real emotional depth."
The film's premise centers on a couple, played by Wilde and Rogen, whose relationship is teetering on collapse when they host an ill-timed dinner party with their enigmatic neighbours, portrayed by Norton and Cruz. The neighbours' relationship appears to possess the passion and communication that the central couple desperately lacks, creating a dynamic exploration of modern relationships and marriage.
Overcoming Past Controversies
This triumphant Sundance moment represents a significant redemption for Wilde following the extensive controversies surrounding her 2022 film Don't Worry Darling. Despite achieving box office success, that project was plagued by persistent rumours of on-set feuds between Wilde and star Florence Pugh, allegations about pay disparities, and concerns regarding Wilde's relationship with co-star Harry Styles during production.
Multiple sources at the time suggested tension between Wilde and Pugh, including reports of a "screaming match" during filming. Additional controversy emerged when a leaked video appeared to show Wilde referring to Pugh as "Miss Flo" and suggesting she needed a "wake-up call." There were also unsubstantiated claims that Styles received significantly higher compensation than his Oscar-nominated co-star, though Wilde vehemently denied these allegations.
Defence from Crew Members
In response to the swirling rumours, forty individuals who worked on Don't Worry Darling released a joint statement defending Wilde's professionalism. The statement asserted: "Any allegations about unprofessional behavior on the set are completely false. Olivia is an incredible leader and director who was present with and involved in every aspect of production. She ran this set with class and respect for everyone involved."
Cinematographer Matthew Libatique similarly dismissed the rumours, telling Hollywood Reporter: "When I hear that there are rumors of acrimony on the set, I reject it. It wasn't apparent at all, to be honest. From my standpoint, the stories are completely untrue when it comes to being on-set."
Moving Forward
Reflecting on the intense scrutiny she faced, Wilde previously told Elle magazine: "It is shocking to see so many untruths about yourself traded as fact. Florence had a really wise comment that we didn't sign up for a reality show, and I love that she put it that way." She added: "It's as though the general public feels that if you are making something that you're selling to the public, you somehow have accepted that your life will be torn to shreds by a pack of wolves. No, that's actually not part of the job description. Never was."
Since the release of Don't Worry Darling, Wilde has moved on personally, now reportedly in a relationship with Ellie Goulding's ex-husband Caspar Jopling following her split from Harry Styles in November 2022. Sources indicated at the time that the breakup was "difficult" for Wilde, who had hoped the relationship would endure despite their challenges.
With The Invite generating such positive early response and emotional festival moments, Wilde appears to have successfully navigated past controversies to reclaim her position as a respected filmmaker. The standing ovation at Sundance not only celebrates her latest cinematic achievement but also represents a powerful symbolic victory over the professional challenges that have marked her recent career trajectory.
