Olivia Wilde reveals why ‘The Invite’ changed her forever

The acclaimed comedy drama has struck a chord with audiences as its stars reflect on trust, intimacy and creativity

Olivia Wilde and Edward Norton have opened up about the creative process behind The Invite, revealing how the acclaimed relationship comedy became one of the most rewarding experiences of their careers.

Speaking ahead of the film's cinema release, Wilde and Norton reflected on the trust that developed among the cast and crew while making the project, which has already generated strong critical acclaim following its debut at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.

Directed by Wilde, The Invite centres on Angela, a frustrated artist played by the filmmaker herself, and her husband Joe, portrayed by Seth Rogen. Their stagnant marriage takes an unexpected turn when they invite charismatic neighbour Hawk, played by Norton, and his partner Piña, played by Penélope Cruz, to dinner. What begins as a seemingly ordinary evening soon develops into an exploration of intimacy, honesty and long term relationships.

The film examines the concept of 'bed death', a term often used to describe the decline of intimacy in long standing relationships. Drawing inspiration from renowned psychotherapist Esther Perel's work, the story explores how couples can rediscover emotional and physical connection without relying on conventional romantic comedy formulas.

For Wilde, creating the film became a deeply personal experience. She admitted the production left her feeling both fulfilled and uncertain about whether another project could match it creatively.

"I feel both thrilled and ruined by this experience because I do not know when I can possibly expect to have another one like this," she said, praising the close collaboration shared by the cast during filming. Wilde added that the creative chemistry was so strong that she would be content if it remained the defining experience of her directing career.

Norton echoed those sentiments, describing the production as unlike any other in his extensive film career. One of the biggest differences was that The Invite was filmed almost entirely in chronological order, allowing performances to develop naturally as the story unfolded.

According to Norton, that approach helped the actors build momentum scene by scene rather than constantly jumping between different emotional moments. He also praised Wilde for encouraging improvisation throughout filming, saying the freedom allowed many memorable scenes to develop organically.

The actor explained that the cast benefited from a strong sense of trust before cameras even started rolling. Having previously worked with both Wilde and Rogen, Norton said everyone felt comfortable experimenting with dialogue and performances during rehearsals.

The film's script was also shaped through workshops with writers Rashida Jones and Will McCormack, giving the performers opportunities to contribute their own ideas and experiences. Wilde said those conversations helped create authentic exchanges that many viewers have found relatable.

Following its Sundance premiere, The Invite attracted considerable attention from distributors before A24 secured the rights in a reported $12m deal after a competitive bidding process. The film has since earned positive reviews from critics, with many praising its balance of sharp comedy, emotional honesty and mature examination of marriage.

For Wilde, storytelling remains one of the most powerful ways to understand complex emotions. She said making The Invite uncovered feelings she had not anticipated, allowing her performance to become more instinctive and vulnerable than she originally expected.

Norton believes audiences have connected with the film because it highlights struggles many couples experience but rarely discuss openly. He said laughter often comes from recognising shared experiences, helping viewers realise they are not alone in facing relationship challenges.