Olivia Wilde’s 'The Invite' Wins 3.5/4 Stars as Review Calls It Her Best Film

Q: A film about a swinger proposal is criticized for being 'too safe.' What does this reveal?

It reveals a mismatch between the film’s provocative premise and its execution: critics expected a sharper, riskier, more revealing comedy, but felt the movie softened its own material. That matters because “The Invite” is built around a sexually charged proposition between two couples, a setup that naturally invites discomfort, satire, and emotional volatility. When a film with that premise is called “too safe,” the criticism is not that it needed to be more explicit for its own sake. It means the film may have avoided pushing far enough into the awkwardness, moral tension, and comic danger that make such a story distinctive. The broader context supports that reading. The film has also been praised elsewhere for its nuanced look at marriage, fading desire, and ethical non-monogamy, with psychotherapist Esther Perel influencing its relationship themes. But the negative review suggests that nuance alone was not enough for some critics, who wanted a stronger directorial point of view and bolder tonal choices. More broadly, it reflects a common expectation in adult comedy: edgy subject matter usually raises the bar for originality and nerve. In comedy especially, critics often argue that trying to please everyone can flatten the result. A film about a swinger proposal being labeled “too safe” suggests it may have chosen caution over surprise, leaving viewers with a competent but less memorable experience.

3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 26

3.5 out of 4 stars went to “The Invite,” with the review calling Olivia Wilde’s single-setting dinner-party comedy a near-perfect, entertaining chamber piece.
Wilde’s third feature is framed as a rebound from “Don’t Worry Darling,” with the critic saying comedy suits her strengths as both director and performer.
Seth Rogen and Wilde play a marriage in crisis whose dinner with neighbors played by Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton turns into an invitation to join their sex parties.
107 minutes long and rated R, the A24 film uses its risqué setup less for shock than to explore marital stasis, change and openness to new experiences.
That positive take contrasts with another review published later that called the same film disappointing and too safe.