MOVIE REVIEW: The Invitation (2016)

The Invitation (2016)

Thriller

Directed By: Karyn Kusama

The art of crafting a successful thriller is something that doesn't get enough recognition. Though we see plenty of people make attempts at it, it seems we rarely see a film succeed wholly in what it was trying to do. Joel Edgerton's 2015 film The Gift was one of the first successful thrillers we have seen in a while and with it there seems to have been new life breathed into the genre. 10 Cloverfield Lane surprised all of us in March and now Karyn Kusama's newest film The Invitation has come to turn the dials up to eleven. Though her story doesn't stray too far from the beaten path the execution is flawless and the final product will have you clutching the edge of your seat throughout. 

As with all the best thrillers, this film keeps its plot as simple as can be. The movie opens on our main character Will (Logan Marshall-Green) and his girlfriend (Emayatzy Corinealdi) in the car on their way to a fancy dinner party. We quickly find out that the party is being held by his ex-wife (Tammy Blanchard) who hasn't been seen or heard from in two years. Now out of the blue he, and the rest of their old time friends have been asked to this mysterious dinner in what they think is an attempt at capturing old feelings. This is hardly the case and it doesn't take much for Will to realize that this dinner party might not be as innocent as they once thought. By the time the party is over all of their lives will be changed forever.

Kusama's film operates best when the audience knows as little as possible, and as a moviegoer I suggest not trying to pick the movie apart as you watch. Not because it is an easy mystery to crack but because you may miss something great while your feebly trying to figure out the film. Like I said, this movie doesn't try to be something new or different, it just wants to succeed at keeping you glued to the screen and wondering whats coming next. She has crafted a neat little backstory for these characters and knowing the details allows the film to hit you even harder. This is literally a thrill ride so just lock yourself in for 100 minutes and enjoy the journey. 

I am always impressed when a filmmaker is able to fit so much character development into a story that jumps right into the thick of it. It takes 5 minutes of screen time before we are already inside the house of the dinner party and meeting our entire main cast of the flick. Yet, by the time the credits roll you have learned so much about each one of them that you feel you've know these characters for far longer than just this little party. We as an audience understand the motives behind each persons actions and why they have all ended up at this dinner.

Unlike many of the thrillers we see make it to the big screen, The Invitation doesn't rely on big name actors to bring in an audience or make the story work. The Most notable name in the cast is John Caroll Lynch (Shutter Island, Zodiac) and his role is fairly minimal. The performances Kusama pulled from a team of lesser known talent is quite impressive, there was never a moment where the acting detracted from the quality of the film.

I'd be lying if I tried to tell you that the ending isn't the most important part of any thriller, because it is. No matter how strong the first two acts of the film are, if a thriller doesn't stick its landing the entire thing can feel like a total waste. Good news for us though because The Invitation totally nails its finale, the final fifteen or so minutes of this film are intense to say the least and when the credits roll you'll feel about as exhausted as the characters you just watched.  

This may not go down in history as one of the greatest, or game changing thrillers ever made but it will certainly live on as a near perfect one. Karyn Kusama took the traditional steps at making this kind of film and did whatever she could to succeed at every level. Rather than try to change the game she went and showed us all what bowling a perfect 300 looks like, and its pretty incredible. Check out The Invitation now on VOD, you don't even have to leave your house.

As always, thanks for reading and I am Zach Who Watches Movies. You can find me anytime on twitter @ZachWWMovies, smell ya later!