The Invitation Review

As the days of summer wind down, and the urge to seek entertainment grows stronger, it's only natural to consider your options. However, when it comes to "The Invitation," it might be best to decline.

Initially, director Jessica M. Thompson sets a captivating tone that hints at a dark and twisted journey awaiting the audience. Unfortunately, the film's execution falls short. The visuals become murky and disjointed, making it challenging to follow the unfolding events. Furthermore, when the anticipated twist finally arrives, it fails to deliver the impact one would hope for. Even the trailer, as is often the case, provides ample clues, robbing the film of its ability to surprise. But fear not, as we endeavor to provide a spoiler-free experience here.

Nathalie Emmanuel, known for her role in "Game of Thrones," brings a magnetic presence to the character of Evelyn, or Evie as she prefers to be called. Emmanuel's naturalistic performance and undeniable charm make her relatable, allowing us to sympathize with her as she navigates a series of unfortunate events.

Evie is a struggling artist from New York, working as a catering waitress to make ends meet. At an event for a DNA testing company, she seizes the opportunity to take the test, searching for a sense of identity after her mother's recent passing. Surprisingly, the test reveals a multitude of British cousins, all of whom appear strikingly different from Evie herself. Unfortunately, the script by Thompson and Blair Butler merely touches the surface of the racial implications arising from this newfound connection. As Evie is invited to a lavish family wedding at an opulent English estate, where she uncomfortably realizes she's the only person of color apart from the maids, there's a glimmer of hope that "The Invitation" might delve into more relevant and thought-provoking themes akin to Jordan Peele's "Get Out." Alas, such hopes are dashed.

Evie's skeptical best friend, Grace, played by the amusing Courtney Taylor, voices her doubts. Nevertheless, Evie succumbs to the allure of belonging. While certain details, like the maids donning numbered uniforms and the butler's condescending attitude, raise some red flags, the allure of the young lord of the manor, Walter, portrayed by the seductive Thomas Doherty, proves too captivating for Evie to resist.

As the three-day celebration unfolds, Thompson leans heavily on cheap jump scares, diluting the potential impact of the film's initial sense of mystery. It's a missed opportunity, as there are moments where the atmosphere manages to generate genuine intrigue. Particularly well-staged is a spa day involving Evie and the glamorous maids of honor, portrayed by Stephanie Corneliussen and Alana Boden. Additionally, Thompson could have dedicated more time to building suspense leading up to the anticipated climax, which takes place during an ominous masked dinner party reminiscent of "Eyes Wide Shut."

However, everything takes a sudden and unexpected turn, transforming "The Invitation" into a different, somewhat sillier film. This abrupt shift into campy territory proves jarring and, frankly, a letdown. Thompson appeared to have something promising in her hands, but instead, she treads familiar ground in an uninspired manner.

Nevertheless, credit must be given to the fabulous costume design by Danielle Knox. Even as Emmanuel grapples with the tonal balance between horror and comedy, she manages to look resplendent in the process.

As the final days of summer slip away, leaving a void in the search for captivating entertainment, it's essential to approach "The Invitation" with caution. Director Jessica M. Thompson initially establishes an eerie atmosphere that promises a descent into a dark and twisted realm. Regrettably, the film falls prey to its own shadows, obscuring the clarity of the narrative with jarring visual effects that leave viewers disoriented. And when the much-anticipated twist finally materializes, it feels underwhelming—almost as if it had been handed to us on a silver platter by the trailer itself, which tends to reveal more than it should. Yet, despite these drawbacks, we remain committed to preserving the integrity of the moviegoing experience by avoiding spoilers.

Evie, a struggling artist from New York, toils as a catering waitress to make ends meet. Seeking a semblance of belonging after her mother's recent passing, she seizes the opportunity to take a DNA test at an event hosted by a new genealogy company. The test uncovers a web of British cousins, a revelation that barely scratches the surface of the racial implications explored by Thompson and Blair Butler's script. Evie is eventually lured to a grand family wedding at a lavish English estate, where her discomfort escalates upon realizing she is the only person of color among the attendees, aside from the maids. It's at this juncture that one hopes "The Invitation" will delve deeper into relevant themes, much like Jordan Peele's "Get Out." However, such aspirations are left unfulfilled.

Evie's loyal best friend, Grace (portrayed amusingly by Courtney Taylor), harbors skepticism about the situation. Despite Grace's reservations, Evie is swayed by the allure of acceptance. While certain oddities catch her attention—the maids sporting numbered uniforms, the haughty butler (played by Sean Pertwee), and a forbidden key to an off-limits library—Evie remains undeterred. Her infatuation with Walter, the charismatic heir of the estate (played seductively by Thomas Doherty), blinds her to the potential dangers lurking beneath the surface.

Throughout the unfolding three-day affair, Thompson relies too heavily on cheap jump scares, which detract from the film's initial air of mystery. It's a shame, as moments of genuine suspense are present, particularly during a well-executed spa day involving Evie and the glamorous maids of honor, brought to life by Stephanie Corneliussen and Alana Boden. Thompson could have capitalized on these instances to build anticipation leading up to the climactic revelation—an eerie masked dinner party reminiscent of the enigmatic world depicted in "Eyes Wide Shut."

However, the film takes an unexpected and sudden turn, veering into the realm of campiness. This abrupt shift disappoints, squandering the potential that Thompson initially seemed poised to fulfill. Instead of exploring uncharted territory, she revisits well-trodden paths, offering little in terms of innovation or inspiration.

Despite its flaws, "The Invitation" boasts a saving grace in the form of Danielle Knox's fabulous costume design. Even as Nathalie Emmanuel skillfully navigates the treacherous tightrope between horror and comedy, her stunning appearance remains unscathed.

In the end, "The Invitation" presents an opportunity missed. While it stumbles in its execution and fails to deliver on its early promises, there are glimpses of potential scattered throughout the film. One cannot help but wish for a more captivating and daring exploration of the narrative, one that transcends the limitations of conventional storytelling.