Olivia Wilde’s The Invite Earns 91% From 35 Reviews
Olivia Wilde’s The Invite opened at Sundance with a 91% Tomatometer score from 35 reviews. That puts the film in a strong early critical position before A24’s limited theatrical release on June 26, 2026.
Sundance gives Wilde momentum
The Invite runs one hour and 47 minutes and carries an R rating, which keeps the release aimed at adult moviegoers rather than a broad four-quadrant crowd. Wilde directs and appears in the film, with Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton in the cast.
Rashida Jones and Will McCormack wrote the screenplay, which is based on a 2020 Spanish film. Annapurna Pictures, FilmNation Entertainment, and Permut Presentations produced the project together, giving the title a multi-company backing profile before it reaches theaters.
Nine strong notices, one sharp dissent
David Fear said the film “manages to avoid being either stagy or stodgy,” while Johnny Oleksinski called it “a sophisticated, snappy, seductive and stupendously funny film.” Adam Chitwood described it as “an uproarious, deeply felt and impeccably crafted chamber piece,” and David Rooney said it “should silence the doubters” about Wilde’s directing abilities.
Nick Schager labeled it “a hysterical, insightful, and ultimately moving portrait,” and Owen Gleiberman wrote that it leaves audiences in “a state of rapt immersion and delight.” Benjamin Lee called it “a genuinely funny and uncommonly intelligent comedy for adults,” while Kate Erbland praised Wilde’s performance and compared her to Lucille Ball’s “elasticity.”
June 26, 2026 release
Bilge Ebiri offered the clear exception, arguing that the characters “never come across as real people” on screen. That mixed review line matters because the film is still headed into a limited release, where a 91% score from 35 reviews can help it arrive with critics already split on the final cut.
A24 will release The Invite in limited theatrical release on June 26, 2026, so the immediate question for the studio is whether Sundance’s early approval carries into theaters. Wilde now has a review score that should help the film sell itself as an adult comedy with commercial polish rather than a niche festival title.
