Olivia Wilde’s ‘The Invite’ trailer reveals chaotic dinner party with Seth Rogen and Penélope Cruz

The dark comedy sparked a bidding war after Sundance, earning praise for its unpredictable story and sharp humour

The first trailer for The Invite has arrived, giving audiences a look at the darkly comic dinner party drama that made waves at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. Directed by Olivia Wilde, the film brings together an impressive ensemble cast that includes Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, Edward Norton and Wilde herself.

Distributed by A24, the film is scheduled for a limited theatrical release on June 26 and is already generating strong buzz thanks to its Sundance debut and the talent involved both in front of and behind the camera.

Written by longtime collaborators Will McCormack and Rashida Jones, the story centres on Joe and Angela, a married couple whose relationship has begun to fray. Hoping to rekindle their connection, they invite their mysterious upstairs neighbours over for dinner. What begins as a seemingly ordinary evening quickly spirals into something far more unpredictable, raising questions about trust, temptation and the fragile balance within relationships.

The newly released trailer teases an increasingly tense and humorous evening as the two couples share drinks, flirtation and uncomfortable revelations. The film blends drama and comedy, leaning into awkward social situations that gradually escalate into emotional and psychological chaos.

When the film premiered at Sundance in January, it quickly became one of the festival’s most talked about titles. Multiple studios and distributors reportedly entered a bidding war to secure distribution rights, including companies such as Focus Features, Neon, Netflix, Apple and Searchlight. Ultimately, A24 won the deal, adding the project to its growing slate of auteur driven films.

Critical response at the festival was enthusiastic. Reviewers praised the film’s sharp dialogue and surprising narrative turns. Variety’s chief film critic described it as a “bravura dinner party dramedy” that keeps audiences laughing while steadily building tension.

For Wilde, the project marks her third feature as a director following Booksmart in 2019 and Don’t Worry Darling in 2023. Both films established her as a filmmaker capable of mixing style with strong performances, and ‘The Invite’ appears to continue that trajectory.

Norton, who has also directed films himself, praised Wilde’s work behind the camera during a Sundance Q and A. He noted that directing while acting can be particularly challenging, adding that Wilde handled both responsibilities with “grace and wisdom.”

The film runs 107 minutes and has been given an R rating. Produced by David Permut, Ben Browning and Megan Ellison, it is expected to expand to wider markets depending on audience response after its initial release.