The Invite and modern couple dramedies: How relationship films revert to traditional narrative norms
By
Rory Doherty
Summary
This article analyzes the film The Invite (starring Olivia Wilde, Seth Rogen, Edward Norton, and Penélope Cruz) and examines how modern couple dramedies, despite appearing to tackle contemporary relationship crises, ultimately revert to traditional narrative norms. The piece traces this pattern through the lens of venomous New Hollywood cinema, arguing that films like The Invite promise progressive takes on marriage and intimacy but fall back on familiar tropes and conservative resolutions. The author explores how the film's depiction of marital tension, envy, and dinner party dynamics reflects broader cinematic trends that struggle to break free from established storytelling conventions about relationships.
Source
The A.V. ClubThe Invite and modern couple dramedies: How relationship films revert to traditional narrative normsavclub.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledThe Invite has a familiar premise: One couple hosts another for a dinner party, only to fixate on all the ways the other couple has everything they don't.
Joe and Angela's every waking moment is rife with marital tension: He's an obnoxious grumbler who never listens.
Though rooted in venomous New Hollywood cinema, a new wave of couple dramedies like The Invite hasn't made much progress.
You might also wanna read
Olivia Wilde’s The Invite Is the Grown-Up Comedy We’ve Been Waiting For
ELLE·8d ago
Sundance 2026: 'The Invite' Review — Olivia Wilde's Dinner Party Comedy Thrills and Entertains
A review of Olivia Wilde's film 'The Invite' from the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. The film stars Wilde, Seth Rogen, Edward Norton, and Pene
IndieWire·12d ago
"The Invite" Review: A24's Sex Comedy Thrives on Dialogue, Not Raunch
A review and analysis of A24's new film "The Invite," a sex comedy starring Seth Rogen and Olivia Wilde that follows a married couple whose
harpersbazaar.com·9d ago
Olivia Wilde on fighting for theatrical release of 'The Invite' and why comedies need live audiences
An interview with Olivia Wilde about her film "The Invite," which premiered at Sundance. She discusses why she rejected Netflix's offer to t
IndieWire·10d agoThe Invite: A Satire of Social Propriety
Olivia Wilde returns to directing with ensemble dramedy "The Invite" after four-year hiatus
Olivia Wilde returns to directing with "The Invite," an ensemble dramedy she also stars in, following the controversy surrounding her 2022 f
Variety·8d ago
Comments
Sign in to join the conversation.
No comments yet. Be the first.