Watch The Invitation

The Invitation is a 2015 thriller film directed by Karyn Kusama and written by Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi. The film stars Logan Marshall-Green, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Michiel Huisman, and Tammy Blanchard. The film's protagonist is Will (Logan Marshall-Green), a man who, following the death of his son, doesn't see his ex-wife, Eden (Tammy Blanchard), for two years. Eden then invites Will and his girlfriend Kira (Emayatzy Corinealdi) to a dinner party with friends at their old house in the Hollywood Hills. Eden, who has returned from a prolonged absence, now lives in the house with her new partner, David (Michiel Huisman), whom Will has never met. Will feels apprehensive about the reunion, but attends the party nonetheless, gradually becoming more suspicious of their intentions as the night progresses.

Throughout the evening, Will's discomfort grows as he becomes increasingly obsessed with the notion that Eden and her new friends have adopted a sinister and malevolent lifestyle. The overly polite and suspicious actions of Eden and David cause the drawn-out evening to become unbearably tense. The rest of the guests are unaware of the situation, and Will feels isolated as his anxieties mount, and his past grief and trauma become insurmountable.

Meanwhile, he continually imagines the possible dark scenarios that may arise in the house, including the fear that his son might still be alive and is about to be sacrificed. Eventually, Will's paranoia reaches critical mass, leading to a shocking and unforgettable final act.

What makes The Invitation stand out among other horror movies is that it doesn't rely on conventional scare tactics. Instead, it creates a pervasive sense of unease and impending doom, making the audience ache to know what will happen next. The first two acts give the impression that things could go either way, with an intensity that is sure to keep audiences on edge. The film's astute direction and atmosphere of anxiety build to a highly unnerving crescendo, leaving viewers wondering whether this house party was less of a reunion than it was a trap.

The Invitation is a tour de force in ambiguous, paranoia-inducing thriller filmmaking. It makes the audience feel like they, too, are a part of the party, devising a connection that makes one anxious from start to finish. The performances by the cast are top-notch, with Logan Marshall-Green delivering a brooding, occasionally erratic role. Emayatzy Corinealdi, Michiel Huisman, and Tammy Blanchard also all do commendable work in fleshing out the characters who leave us constantly guessing about their true intentions.

As a final word, The Invitation is a highly acclaimed film that stands out as one of the best horror/thriller movies of the last decade. It's a chilling, suspenseful tale that setles with you long after the credits roll. It's more than just a movie about a dinner party, as it focuses on grief and the temptations of modern life.

The Invitation is a 2016 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 74.