Olivia Wilde says ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ backlash liberated her as a director

Olivia Wilde says harsh criticism of Don't Worry Darling gave her the freedom to take creative risks with 'The Invite'

Olivia Wilde has revealed that the critical response to Don't Worry Darling ultimately gave her the confidence to make her latest film, The Invite, on her own terms.

Speaking to Variety, the filmmaker reflected on how her 2022 psychological thriller, which holds a 38% score on Rotten Tomatoes, changed her outlook as a director. Wilde said experiencing public criticism early in her directing career helped remove the fear of failure and encouraged her to take greater creative risks.

"I believe in early failure," Wilde said. "Once you've survived that, there's liberation."

Released by A24, The Invite is Wilde's third directorial feature and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival before securing a theatrical release. The chamber comedy follows two couples over the course of a single night inside one San Francisco apartment.

Wilde revealed the film was shot in sequence over 21 days, allowing the cast to rehearse extensively beforehand. She described the production as an experiment inspired by stage plays, with the entire story unfolding in chronological order.

The director also praised Seth Rogen's performance, calling it some of the strongest work of his career. Wilde compared his screen presence to legendary actors Albert Brooks and Richard Dreyfuss, adding that he elevates every scene he appears in.

Discussing the film's ending, Wilde confirmed that her intended interpretation leaves open the possibility that one of the central couples may never have physically existed, encouraging audiences to revisit the film for subtle visual clues.

Wilde also defended her decision to reject streaming offers after Sundance, insisting The Invite deserved a theatrical release. She argued that independent films are benefiting from renewed audience interest, particularly among younger moviegoers, and believes cinemas remain an essential part of the filmmaking experience.