Olivia Wilde's 'The Invite' Hits HBO Max October 23 — Why This A24 Dark Comedy Is the Spooky Season Sleeper Hit You Need

A Dinner Party You Won't Forget — 'The Invite' Arrives on Streaming

October is officially horror season, but not every great movie this month needs jump scares to mess with your head. A24's The Invite, directed by and starring Olivia Wilde, is the spooky season dark comedy that flew under the radar during its theatrical run — and it's finally hitting HBO Max on October 23, 2026. If you missed it in theaters, now's your chance to catch up before Oscar season kicks into gear.

The film earned a solid $58 million worldwide at the box office and earned praise from Variety, which called it "a bravura dinner-party dramedy that's like Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? remade by the Woody Allen of Husbands and Wives." Yeah — that's a pretty bold comparison, and honestly? It earned it.

What's It About? Two Couples, One Catastrophic Night

The Invite follows two couples — played by Olivia Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton — who get together for what's supposed to be a chill dinner party. Spoiler: it's anything but chill. As the wine flows and inhibitions drop, old grudges surface, secrets spill, and relationships crack wide open in ways that are equal parts hilarious and painfully real.

Wilde pulls double duty here, both directing and starring, and honestly delivers on both fronts. She's shown serious range behind the camera since Booksmart, and The Invite feels like her most confident work yet. Rogen, meanwhile, trades his usual stoner-comedy vibes for something darker and more layered — and it works surprisingly well. Cruz and Norton bring heavyweight energy to every scene they're in.

Why You Should Stream It This October

Look, October 2026 is absolutely stacked with streaming releases. Evil Dead Burn just dropped on HBO Max for the gorehounds. Steven Spielberg's Disclosure Day starring Emily Blunt and Josh O'Connor lands on Peacock on October 9. And the Jane Schoenbrun cult classic Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma is already streaming on Mubi after its Cannes buzz.

But The Invite fills a unique gap. It's not a horror movie, and it's not a blockbuster — it's the kind of smart, character-driven A24 joint that rewards attention and lingers in your head days after watching. Think The Lobster meets Carnage, with a dash of prestige-TV-level awkwardness that'll have you cringing and laughing in equal measure.

If you're building your October watchlist, slot The Invite in right after your horror marathon. It pairs perfectly with a glass of wine and the kind of evening where you want to feel something other than scared. October 23 on HBO Max — mark it.