Olivia Wilde’s newest film, The Invite, has successfully concluded a competitive bidding war at Sundance, ultimately landing with A24 in what is being hailed as the festival’s most significant sale to date. The negotiations involved multiple distributors, including Neon, Focus, and Netflix, with a noteworthy late push from Warner Bros.’ newly launched indie label. A24 secured the film with an eight-figure deal, showcasing a strong commitment to bringing this relationship comedy to audiences.
The Invite, a remake of the Spanish-language film Sentimental, features a star-studded cast including Seth Rogen, Ed Norton, Penelope Cruz, and Wilde herself. The story revolves around a couple, portrayed by Wilde and Rogen, as they navigate the precarious state of their relationship during a poorly timed dinner party with their charismatic neighbors, played by Norton and Cruz. The neighbors provide a stark contrast with their seemingly passionate and communicative relationship, highlighting the couple’s struggles.
The film received an enthusiastic reception during its premiere at the Eccles Theater, earning a standing ovation from attendees. Critics have offered high praise, with The Hollywood Reporter describing it as “smart, sophisticated and incisively acted adult entertainment.” The review further notes that the film adeptly critiques the challenges of marriage while exploring themes of sexual redemption and the possibility of reconciliation, even amid turmoil.
In a pre-festival discussion, Wilde expressed her desire to create The Invite outside the traditional studio system, which allowed for greater creative freedom. She emphasized the importance of collaboration among the cast and crew, stating that it has been a dream experience for her. This project marks Wilde’s third directorial outing, following her successful films Booksmart and Don’t Worry Darling.
The production was backed by Megan Ellison and Annapurna, reuniting Wilde with those who supported her first directorial venture. The sale was co-represented by UTA Independent Film Group and FilmNation, with additional representation from CAA for Wilde and Cruz, and UTA for Rogen and Norton, along with the film’s writers, Will McCormack and Rashida Jones.
With such a promising start at Sundance and significant backing from A24, The Invite stands poised to make a meaningful impact in the realm of relationship comedies, potentially setting new standards for storytelling in this genre.