Blab Entertainment
Olivia Wildes The Invite Premieres at Sundance, Stars Seth Rogen, Penelope Cruz and Edward Norton
Olivia Wilde’s third feature as a director, The Invite, opened the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on January 24 at the Eccles Theater. The comedy‑drama, which is slated for a limited U.S. theatrical release on June 26 2026 by A24, follows a strained marriage that is pushed to its limits when the couple invites their eccentric upstairs neighbors to dinner.
The film is an English‑language remake of the 2020 Spanish comedy The People Upstairs (original title Los vecinos de arriba), written by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack. Jones and McCormack previously collaborated on the 2012 romantic comedy Celeste & Jesse Forever. Their script for The Invite centers on Joe (Seth Rogen) and Angela (Olivia Wilde), a couple whose relationship has deteriorated into petty arguments. In an attempt to rekindle their connection, they host a dinner party that spirals into chaos when the upstairs neighbors—Hawk (Edward Norton) and Pína (Penélope Cruz)—arrive.
Production of the film was led by A24, with Megan Ellison, David Permut and Ben Browning serving as producers. Wilde not only directed but also co‑stars in the film, a role that has become a hallmark of her career after her debut as a director with Booksmart (2019) and the thriller Don’t Worry Darling (2022). The cast also includes Penélope Cruz, who brings an unfiltered European flair to the role of Pína, and Edward Norton, whose performance as the enigmatic Hawk adds a layer of sharp wit.
The Invite was first promoted with a trailer released on April 4 2026. The promotional video shows the four main characters in a cramped apartment, highlighting the film’s blend of humor and tension. Critics who attended the Sundance premiere noted that the film balances comedic timing with a realistic portrayal of marital strain. Reviewers praised Wilde’s direction for maintaining a tight narrative rhythm while allowing the characters’ dialogue to feel spontaneous.
The film’s release strategy follows A24’s typical approach of a limited theatrical run before a broader distribution window. The June 26 release date places the film in the summer lineup, a period that historically sees increased audience turnout for independent dramas. While A24 has not yet announced a streaming release date, the company’s track record suggests that the film will become available on a major platform within a few months of its theatrical debut.
The adaptation of The People Upstairs has been noted for its faithfulness to the original’s premise while infusing new cultural nuances. Jones and McCormack’s screenplay retains the core conflict of a couple’s relationship on the brink, but the addition of Wilde’s directorial sensibility and the star power of Rogen, Cruz and Norton gives the story a distinct American flavor.
Industry observers have highlighted the film’s potential to appeal to audiences who enjoy character‑driven comedies that tackle real‑world issues. The presence of high‑profile actors, combined with Wilde’s growing reputation as a director who can blend humor with depth, positions The Invite as a notable entry in A24’s 2026 slate.
As of the latest reports, The Invite has completed post‑production and is set for its limited theatrical release on June 26 2026. No additional dates for festival screenings or a streaming debut have been announced.
The film’s premiere at Sundance, its star‑studded cast, and its upcoming release schedule are the key points that will shape its reception in the coming months. The industry will be watching to see how the film performs both critically and commercially, and whether it will influence future adaptations of international comedies.
The film is an English‑language remake of the 2020 Spanish comedy The People Upstairs (original title Los vecinos de arriba), written by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack. Jones and McCormack previously collaborated on the 2012 romantic comedy Celeste & Jesse Forever. Their script for The Invite centers on Joe (Seth Rogen) and Angela (Olivia Wilde), a couple whose relationship has deteriorated into petty arguments. In an attempt to rekindle their connection, they host a dinner party that spirals into chaos when the upstairs neighbors—Hawk (Edward Norton) and Pína (Penélope Cruz)—arrive.
Production of the film was led by A24, with Megan Ellison, David Permut and Ben Browning serving as producers. Wilde not only directed but also co‑stars in the film, a role that has become a hallmark of her career after her debut as a director with Booksmart (2019) and the thriller Don’t Worry Darling (2022). The cast also includes Penélope Cruz, who brings an unfiltered European flair to the role of Pína, and Edward Norton, whose performance as the enigmatic Hawk adds a layer of sharp wit.
The Invite was first promoted with a trailer released on April 4 2026. The promotional video shows the four main characters in a cramped apartment, highlighting the film’s blend of humor and tension. Critics who attended the Sundance premiere noted that the film balances comedic timing with a realistic portrayal of marital strain. Reviewers praised Wilde’s direction for maintaining a tight narrative rhythm while allowing the characters’ dialogue to feel spontaneous.
The film’s release strategy follows A24’s typical approach of a limited theatrical run before a broader distribution window. The June 26 release date places the film in the summer lineup, a period that historically sees increased audience turnout for independent dramas. While A24 has not yet announced a streaming release date, the company’s track record suggests that the film will become available on a major platform within a few months of its theatrical debut.
The adaptation of The People Upstairs has been noted for its faithfulness to the original’s premise while infusing new cultural nuances. Jones and McCormack’s screenplay retains the core conflict of a couple’s relationship on the brink, but the addition of Wilde’s directorial sensibility and the star power of Rogen, Cruz and Norton gives the story a distinct American flavor.
Industry observers have highlighted the film’s potential to appeal to audiences who enjoy character‑driven comedies that tackle real‑world issues. The presence of high‑profile actors, combined with Wilde’s growing reputation as a director who can blend humor with depth, positions The Invite as a notable entry in A24’s 2026 slate.
As of the latest reports, The Invite has completed post‑production and is set for its limited theatrical release on June 26 2026. No additional dates for festival screenings or a streaming debut have been announced.
The film’s premiere at Sundance, its star‑studded cast, and its upcoming release schedule are the key points that will shape its reception in the coming months. The industry will be watching to see how the film performs both critically and commercially, and whether it will influence future adaptations of international comedies.
