Seth Rogen Says ‘The Invite’ Was Made For ‘Sitting In A Theater And Laughing’ In First Look At A24 Comedy

The indie film directed by and starring former Maxim cover star Olivia Wilde already has 92 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Ahead of The Invite‘s limited theatrical release on June 26, A24 just released a first look featuring some seriously persuasive selling points from its star-studded cast.

Directed by and starring former Maxim cover star Olivia Wilde alongside Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton, this remake of the Spanish film The People Upstairs follows a simple premise as described by the official synopsis: “Joe and Angela’s (Wilde and Rogen’s) marriage is on thin ice. When they invite their enigmatic upstairs neighbors (Cruz and Norton) for a dinner party, the night spirals into unexpected places. Have they reignited the spark or lit the match that burns it all down?”

In the clip below, the entire cast is complimentary of Wilde, with Cruz saying, “She was so generous to really listen to what we have to bring to the table.” Rogen added, “Olivia is someone I knew I could really create an uproariously funny dynamic with. I myself wanted a scene partner I could create true comedy with.”

Scenes of Joe and Angela’s comical bickering are juxtaposed with an obvious lack of tension in their neighbors’ relationship. Among the developments is a proposition from Norton and Cruz’s “sexologists,” who practice a lifestyle of radical sexual openness. A don’t-blink moment comes at the very end of the clip, where it appears as if Norton’s character is inserting himself into Rogen, who wears an expression composed of pain and terror.

“If you long for the days of sitting in a theater and laughing, then this is for you.” Rogen offers as perhaps the most compelling reason to catch The Invite in theaters. Watch the first look below:

The Invite premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival to wide acclaim from critics, earning it an early 92 percent aggregate score on Rotten Tomatoes. In a sensational review proclaiming it a frontrunner for “the funniest movie of the year,” the New York Post wrote, “Punchlines, witty asides and physical bits are delivered and choreographed with such easy dexterity, The Invite almost doesn’t feel like a 2026 comedy, a designation that usually means ‘dumb as rocks’ or  ‘drama with a clown nose.’ The style here is retro, yet the sheer abundance of truly great jokes keeps it fresh and modern.”

Rolling Stone writes: “It’s the sort of one-location, star-driven ensemble piece that could have merely been a theatrical exercise, and somehow manages to avoid being either stagy or stodgy. Even more impressive is how the actors sync up their own unique performance styles.”

The Hollywood Reporter praised Wilde in particular: “After the disproportionate bashing Wilde took on Don’t Worry Darling, her new movie should silence the doubters. At this point it’s hard to deny she’s the real deal as a director.”

A negative review from Vulture, however, describes a more shallow audience experience. “The Invite is primarily a comedy, and it does have some solid laughs, though the character interactions can also feel so manufactured that our bullshit detectors start going off fairly early.”

After its limited theatrical release, The Invite opens everywhere on July 10. Watch both previously released trailers below: