Olivia Wilde Defends Theatrical Release for 'The Invite' as 38% 'Don't Worry Darling' Score Freed Her
Updated
Updated · Variety · Jun 28
Olivia Wilde Defends Theatrical Release for 'The Invite' as 38% 'Don't Worry Darling' Score Freed Her
3 articles · Updated · Variety · Jun 28
Summary
A24’s “The Invite,” now in select theaters, was steered away from streaming after Sundance, with Wilde saying every non-streaming bidder wanted a theatrical run.
Wilde tied that stance to a broader market shift, arguing box office is up 30% as Gen Z turns out for auteur-driven independent films that streamers had written off.
The film itself was made as an experiment: 21 days onstage plus two location days, shot sequentially on film in a single San Francisco apartment after six weeks of unpaid cast rehearsal.
Wilde said the 38% Rotten Tomatoes score for 2022’s “Don’t Worry Darling” removed her fear of failure, freeing her to prioritize process and risk over expectations on her third feature.