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Entertainment • Film

The Invitation (2015 film)

The Invitation is a 2015 American psychological horror-thriller film directed by Karyn Kusama and written by Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 10, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Invitation is a 2015 American psychological horror-thriller film directed by Karyn Kusama and written by Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi. It stars Logan Marshall-Green, Tammy Blanchard, Michiel Huisman, and Emayatzy Corinealdi, and follows a man attending a dinner party at his former home where he suspects a sinister agenda.

Plot

The film follows a man who accepts an invitation to a dinner party at the home he once shared with his ex-wife. As the evening progresses, he becomes increasingly convinced that the hosts and guests are hiding dangerous intentions.

Production and release

The Invitation was directed by Karyn Kusama from a screenplay by Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi. It premiered at SXSW on March 13, 2015, and was later released theatrically in limited form on April 8, 2016, by Drafthouse Films.

Cast and characters

Logan Marshall-Green plays Will, with Tammy Blanchard as Eden, Michiel Huisman as David, and Emayatzy Corinealdi among the supporting ensemble. These performances are central to the film’s tension-driven ensemble setup.

Key facts

  • The film was directed by Karyn Kusama and written by Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi.
  • Its cast includes Logan Marshall-Green, Tammy Blanchard, Michiel Huisman, and Emayatzy Corinealdi.
  • The story centres on Will, who attends a dinner party hosted by his ex-wife and begins to suspect something is wrong.
  • The film premiered at South by Southwest on March 13, 2015.
  • It later received a limited theatrical release on April 8, 2016, and was also distributed via video on demand.
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Canadian context

The film was released in Canada through standard North American home-entertainment and streaming channels, but the provided sources do not identify a specifically Canadian production or setting.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Invitation about?
It is about a man who attends a dinner party hosted by his ex-wife and begins to suspect that the gathering has a hidden, sinister purpose.
Who directed The Invitation?
Karyn Kusama directed the film.
When was The Invitation released?
It premiered at SXSW on March 13, 2015, and received a limited release on April 8, 2016.
Who wrote The Invitation?
Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi wrote the screenplay.
Who stars in The Invitation?
The principal cast includes Logan Marshall-Green, Tammy Blanchard, Michiel Huisman, and Emayatzy Corinealdi.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Invitation_(2015_film)
    Supports: Director, writers, cast, premiere date, release history, country, and genre.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2400463/
    Supports: Basic premise and identification of the 2015 film.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2400463/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot summary and character context.
  4. Apple TV — https://www.apple.com/ca/
    Supports: Synopsis, cast, director, and runtime for the film listing.
  5. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_invitation
    Supports: Synopsis, director, producers, genre, and release information.