The Invitation

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2:10

The Invitation

2016

1h 39m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

116 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

While attending a dinner party at his former house, a man starts to believe that his ex-wife and her new husband have sinister plans for the guests.

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Critics Consensus

The Invitation makes brilliant use of its tension-rich premise to deliver a uniquely effective -- and surprisingly clever -- slow-building thriller.

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Max Weiss

Baltimore Magazine

Is this a film about grief masquerading as a horror film -- or vice versa?

Rated: 3.5/4

Jul 26, 2016

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Calvin Wilson

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Psychological thrillers just don't get any better than this.

Rated: 3.5/4

Apr 21, 2016

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Beautifully paced, the movie traces a steady arc from amiability to apocalypse.

Apr 21, 2016

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David Day

Horror Movie Talk

I think my favorite part of The Invitation is the discomfort that you feel in a party is so well intoned, and all of the acting matches so well with the characters and their desires/intentions. It feels real, and it feels upsetting, and I love it.

Rated: 10/10

Aug 11, 2025

Full Review

Isabella Liistro

Loud and Clear Reviews

There are no scenes, characters, or bits of dialogue that don’t belong. The tension builds and builds until we’re left with a masterful final shot that’s so subtle, but the implication is chilling.

Jan 18, 2025

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Brian Bisesi

Horror Movie Club Podcast

The Invitation is a tense and uncomfortable film, but being grounded in our main character’s perspective gives us a stake in each awkward event that unfolds. It is a vivid exploration of grief with a conclusion satisfying enough to justify the discomfort.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 27, 2024

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Vincent S.

This was creepy, hypnotic, tense and it unfolds like a great story should.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/30/25

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Elmer J

A slow-burn thriller that builds tension in a disquieting way, The Invitation keeps you on edge as the mystery unfolds. While the pacing drags at times, the suspense pays off with a finale that’s both eerie and satisfying. A decent watch, though it could’ve used a bit more emotional punch.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/29/25

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EE D

What a pile of garbage. The protagonist walks with a long face the whole damn movie while a bunch of friends keep asking "how are you doing?" and answering "great" after not seeing each other for 5 years. Can't think of a more stupid screen writing

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/26/25

Full Review

MA A.

Was good. Shows being paranoid can save you in the end

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/05/25

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Angelina S

Such a an awesome movie! Don’t watch the previews…it will surprise you!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/16/25

Full Review

Fabrizio L

Got the plot the first 20 minutes of the movie. Some characters are unbelievably idiotic for their choices and the sentences they make. Dialogues are terribad to say the least. Complete NON SENSE mixed up with some blood. Below 0.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/16/25

Full Review

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Karyn Kusama

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The Invitation: Trailer 1

2:10

The Invitation: Teaser Trailer 1

1:05

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Synopsis

While attending a dinner party at his former house, a man starts to believe that his ex-wife and her new husband have sinister plans for the guests.

Director: Karyn Kusama
Producer: Martha Griffin, Matt Manfredi, Phil Hay, Nick Spicer
Screenwriter: Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi
Distributor: Drafthouse Films
Production Co: XYZ Films, Lege Artis Film, Gamechanger Films
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 8, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $231.7K
Runtime: 1h 39m

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