The Invite, released in Italy as The Invite – Il piacere è tutto nostro, is Olivia Wilde‘s new comedy starring Seth Rogen, Edward Norton, Penélope Cruz and Wilde herself. After premiering at Sundance and playing Locarno‘s Piazza Grande, it is heading to Italian cinemas in September.
Italian audiences will first get a chance to see the film during nationwide previews on September 1 and 2, ahead of its theatrical release on September 16. The film is distributed in Italy by I Wonder Pictures and Unipol Biografilm Collection, in collaboration with Wise Pictures, while A24 is handling its US release.
From Locarno to Italian Cinemas
Directed by Olivia Wilde and written by Cesc Gay, Will McCormack and Rashida Jones, the film follows Angela and Joe, a married couple whose relationship has gradually been worn down by routine.
Things change when they invite their enigmatic neighbors — a charming and uninhibited couple — over for dinner. What begins as a seemingly ordinary evening soon takes an unexpected turn, for the night and for Angela and Joe’s relationship alike.
The comedy already had a major public showcase at the Locarno Film Festival, where its Piazza Grande screening drew more than 8,000 spectators and sold out the venue. That kind of response is particularly interesting for a comedy, a genre that can gain even more energy when experienced with a large audience.
Star Power Can Still Give Audiences a Reason to Go to the Cinema
Beyond the premise, one of The Invite’s strongest theatrical assets is its cast.
With audiences increasingly selective about cinema trips, recognizable performers can help make a film feel like a safer bet. Seth Rogen, in particular, brings a strong comedy pedigree through films such as Knocked Up, Pineapple Express, This Is the End and Neighbors.
Alongside Edward Norton and Penélope Cruz, that familiarity gives The Invite an ensemble with broad audience appeal. Comedy also benefits naturally from the theatrical experience: laughter is communal, and the enthusiastic response from more than 8,000 spectators at Locarno suggests the film can work particularly well with a crowd.
The Invite has the advantage of putting four very different screen presences around the same table. Seth Rogen brings his familiar comic instinct, while Edward Norton, Penélope Cruz and Olivia Wilde add their own appeal.
For distributors, that kind of cast is also an easy selling point. Recognizable stars can make a film easier to position and give audiences a stronger reason to choose The Invite for a night at the cinema rather than wait to watch it at home.
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