You Won’t Believe What Happens at This Dinner Party

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As a cinephile looking back on my two-decade journey in Hollywood, I can say that I’ve forged my own path through this fascinating world of cinema. My breakthrough came with the independent success of “Girlfight” in 2000, opening doors to explore grand-scale sci-fi adventures like “Æon Flux” in 2005. Regrettably, neither the critics nor the box office responded favorably to this project. The next challenge I took on was “Jennifer’s Body” in 2009, which didn’t fare much better at the time. However, with the passage of years, “Jennifer’s Body” has been recognized as an underappreciated gem in feminist horror cinema.

Six years following the initial unfavorable response to “Jennifer’s Body,” Kusama made a comeback on the silver screen with an entirely distinct production: the 2015 film titled “The Invitation“. This movie was a minimalist, tense thriller that created a sense of suffocating atmosphere. It debuted at SXSW on March 13th, 2015, garnering praise for its skillful handling of slow-building tension. Ten years after its release, it continues to be highly regarded, often appearing on lists of the best independent horror films from that period. It signaled a solid return to form for the director and laid the groundwork for the chilling ambiance of Showtime’s “Yellowjackets.

‘The Invitation’s Disturbing Dinner Party

The story commences with an ominous start, as Will (Logan Marshall-Green from ‘Upgrade’) and his girlfriend Kira (Emayatzy Corinealdi) encounter a deer on their journey to a dinner soiree in the Hollywood Hills. To alleviate its pain, they decide to end its life, and proceed to the gathering, where Will’s former acquaintances start to assemble.

However, this isn’t just an ordinary social gathering. For instance, it takes place at the residence of Will’s former spouse Eden (Tammy Blanchard) and her current husband David (Michiel Huisman), with whom Will hasn’t had much contact since their young son Ty’s unfortunate demise. To make matters even more tense, a rather imposing figure named Pruitt (John Carroll Lynch) unexpectedly shows up to join the festivities.

Over wine and reminiscing of past times, Eden and David unveil their primary motive behind gathering everyone. Having met at a support group for grief in Mexico, they both became part of an organization called The Invitation, claiming to aid individuals in dealing with loss and embracing mortality. The attendees find it somewhat peculiar but tolerable, considering Pruitt’s explanation for joining the group. As the celebration unfolds, events take a strange turn, leading guests to suspect that Eden and David’s serene facade hides something far more ominous.

In the initial stages, Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi’s script builds suspense by exploring whether the unusual events are genuine or just a result of Will’s lingering sorrow and the bizarre nature of the situation itself. Boundaries are occasionally breached, such as in a game reminiscent of “I Want,” which becomes too intense due to alcohol and the festive mood. The Invitation cult initially appears peculiar, but isn’t portrayed as inherently evil, until Will discovers Eden concealing a pill bottle. Throughout the film, the narrative primarily follows Will’s perspective, allowing him to notice odd private conversations and the growing strangeness of his hosts. Tensions escalate dramatically when the group convenes for dinner, and The Invitation finally reveals its true purpose.

‘The Invitation’s Explosive Final Act

As the movie unfolds, Kusama gradually increases the suspense, leading to an explosive climax in the final act. Starting from the dinner scene, things take a turn for the worse as the gathering spirals into chaos and violence. Some viewers might find this abrupt change unsatisfying after the initial slow build-up, but it seems fitting given the increasingly ominous atmosphere. The tension that has been steadily growing finally reaches its peak, and the movie unleashes it in a spectacularly violent and gory conclusion.

In the concluding part, the sequence is just as skillfully executed as the rest of the movie, with attendees battling for survival when the hosts resort to extreme tactics to fulfill their intentions. Eight years since his unnerving performance in David Fincher’s “Zodiac,” John Carroll Lynch demonstrates yet again why he’s a top-tier actor for villainous roles, as Pruitt transforms from subtly menacing to outright terrifying. The movie concludes with a haunting final scene, employing an earlier emblem to indicate that the cult’s sway reaches far beyond just this one residence.

Kusama has primarily focused on television work since her 2018 crime drama, “Destroyer,” which starred Nicole Kidman. This includes directing episodes for shows like “The Outsider” and “Dead Ringers.” She also served as an executive producer and director for the hit series “Yellowjackets.” Although her films generally struggle financially, Kusama’s filmmaking skills are undeniable, with “The Invitation” being one of her most successful productions to date.

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2025-03-09 20:32