The chances are you didn’t catch Karyn Kusama’s 2015 film The Invitation in cinemas as it got a pretty limited release, but it’s been given a new lease of life on Netflix this month.
I stuck it on at about 10.30pm last night half expecting to fall asleep at some point but instead was completely engrossed, albeit it in a guilty way, like when rubbernecking a road accident.
The premise is simple: a group of friends have gathered for a dinner party, the first since the tragic death of the host’s child, whom she had with estranged husband, guest and our protagonist, Will.
Everyone is just trying to have a nice time, not think about the hideous accident and make small talk. The host, Eden, and her new husband, David (Daario Naharis from Game of Thrones) however, will not stop initiating awkward conversations, acting strangely and generally making everyone very uncomfortable. To explain any more would be to veer into spoiler territory, but it’s safe to say that shit* hits the fan.
If, like me, you hated The Gift but were intrigued by what it was going for, you’ll definitely be into this film, which very carefully balances itself on the ‘Is something fucked up going on here, or am I just being paranoid?’ tightrope. It brings to mind that scene in Michael Haneke’s Funny Games where Michael Pitt’s character visits to borrow some eggs and won’t leave, housewife Naomi Watts unsure whether he is being overly friendly or psychopathic.
It’s the relentlessness too; every time you think the arsenic-laced atmosphere is going to calm down, more deranged events or actions take place that renew Will’s unease.
It’s one of those films that doesn’t rely on jump scares and doesn’t throw you out of your seat, but will probably leaving you gripping it, sweaty-palmed and emotionally exhausted, long after it has finished.
(Sourced from agencies, Feature image courtesy:americanafilmfest.com)
