Olivia Wilde has had a rough go with the media within the past couple of years. With her personal relationships becoming public headlines and the critical failure of her sophomore feature, Don’t Worry Darling, Wilde faced significant online turmoil. Just under four years after the release of Don’t Worry Darling, Wilde looks to make a comeback with a small-scale, one-location comedy, The Invite. With how much controversy she found herself in, it had to take a lot to win back audiences, but she does so gracefully with her third directorial outing.

The Invite follows Joe and Angela, played by Seth Rogen and Olivia Wilde, as a married couple on the brink of collapse. After inviting their upstairs neighbors over to their apartment for dinner, chaos ensues as Joe and Angela struggle to keep their cool and maintain a pleasant evening. Even more mania occurs as their neighbors, played by Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton, reveal the true intention of their visit, leaving Joe and Angela to question their relationship even more than they already were.

Set mostly in Joe and Angela’s apartment, The Invite relies heavily on its actors, and I can’t imagine anyone delivering better performances than this ensemble. Seth Rogen very much plays another version of himself and his past characters, but his comedic timing is so on point that it is easy to overlook. Aside from the comedy, he’s given ample time to delve into drama in the third act, and he portrays that seriousness with such authenticity and nuance that it’s easily one of his best performances. Olivia Wilde counteracts Seth Rogen’s sarcasm beautifully, portraying anxiety outwardly in a way that makes it easy for the audience to relate to. While Joe suppresses his mental health issues, Angela is far more vocal, and Wilde portrays this in an entertaining yet thought-provoking manner. Despite the two arguing for most of the runtime and the uncomfortable circumstances they find themselves in, Wilde and Rogen’s committed performances make it impossible to take your eyes off the screen.

Deemed the more veteran actors in the ensemble, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton effortlessly play a couple so deeply and emotionally in love. The calmness they exude perfectly balances the chaos of Joe and Angela while expressing the comfort that comes with being in love. The two couples’ comparison comes in moments of emotion, with Norton in particular delivering a striking monologue that reveals his character’s inner demons and the reasons his life changed, showcasing why he is one of the best working actors. Penélope Cruz, while not given as big a moment as Norton, is equally compelling in the more intimate moments, especially during private conversations with Joe, where she showcases her comedic and dramatic chops simultaneously. If the Oscars were today, The Invite would be the frontrunner for Best Casting, as there is no weak point in the ensemble.

Although the dynamic acting does a great job at conveying entertainment, the filmmaking itself does a lot of heavy lifting as well. Olivia Wilde has proven in the past that she is a great director, but her work on The Invite might be her strongest yet. She blocks the actors so that there is no empty space, giving every frame the energy needed to push the film forward. The editing is sharp, with quick cuts that contribute to the film’s fast pace while also holding on the actors during the emotional moments. The score is reminiscent of films like American Fiction and Saturday Night, with composer Dev Hynes using jazz compositions to give the film a healthy rhythm. Taking place in one location, the technical aspects could’ve gotten away with a lazier form of storytelling, but luckily the filmmaking consistently operates at the highest level.

While one could interpret The Invite as a relatable and fun look at human interactions, the movie’s core is about relationships and what makes one strong or weak. From physical intimacy to aging, the movie expertly dissects how one can fall apart and what can be done to fix it. Writers Rashida Jones and Will McCormack craft excellent moments that display their ideas about relationships in ways that feel both tangible and challenging, from big outbursts about how they are living their lives wrong to small comments about a carpet. Although what they’re saying about relationships isn’t anything other films haven’t captured before, it still stands as more than just a strong screenplay bound to spark conversation.

Olivia Wilde could not have found a better comeback than The Invite, a hilarious yet intimate look at relationships, carried by year-best performances from the ensemble. Utilizing every aspect of filmmaking to the fullest extent, this is an excellent adult comedy that we rarely see anymore. Whether you’re a fan of sharp humor or complex ideas, this film has something that will appeal to anyone.

The Invite will release in theaters nationwide on July 10.

Rating: 8/10

Oscar Prospects:

Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Editing, Best Original Score