A24 Drops 'The Invite' Trailer Starring Wilde, Rogen, Norton
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- A24 released the first trailer for "The Invite," the Olivia Wilde-directed film also starring Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton, set for a limited theatrical release on June 26.
- The film, written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones, follows a married couple "on thin ice" whose dinner party with upstairs neighbors spirals into unexpected territory.
- "The Invite" debuted at Sundance in January, where it sparked a multi-day distribution bidding war involving Focus Features, Neon, Netflix, Apple, Searchlight, and newcomer Black Bear before A24 landed it.
- Olivia Wilde received a standing ovation at Sundance following the screening, and Norton praised her dual role as actress and director at a closing Q&A.
- Variety chief film critic Owen Gleiberman called the film a "bravura dinner-party dramedy" that "keeps you laughing and never stops surprising."
- "The Invite" marks Wilde's third directorial effort, following "Booksmart" (2019) and "Don't Worry Darling" (2023); the film is 107 minutes and earned an R rating, produced by David Permut, Ben Browning, and Megan Ellison.
Why it matters: The June 26 release gives A24 a summer counter-programming option — a star-driven adult dramedy — while marking Wilde's return to directing after the controversy-shrouded "Don't Worry Darling." A Sundance bidding war with six suitors signals strong distributor confidence, and Norton's endorsement positions Wilde's dual performance-and-direction turn as a credibility-restoring moment.
