Olivia Wilde Talks Fight To Get ‘The Invite’ A Theatrical Release Following Sundance Response: "I Was Passionate About It With A Lot Of Support"
Deadline
•Sat, 08 Aug 2026 16:45:58 +0000
📰 What Happened
Olivia Wilde revealed she was passionate about getting The Invite, her comedy, a theatrical release after its strong audience reception at Sundance. Speaking at the Locarno Film Festival, where the film screens on the Piazza Grande, she said the Sundance reaction was extraordinary and told audiences they have to 'fight for it'. She criticised the practice of financiers being 'bribed' with higher streaming payouts to skip theatrical releases.
🔍 The Backstory
The Invite premiered at Sundance, where it drew a notably enthusiastic audience response. Wilde's remarks come amid a broader industry debate over whether streaming-first deals are squeezing cinemas, and after a similar fight was mounted for David Lynch's Wild at Heart.
🎯 Why It Matters
This is a window into how directors navigate the streaming-versus-theatrical divide at a time when fewer films reach cinemas. It matters to moviegoers who care about keeping the theatrical experience alive and to anyone following how distribution money shapes which films you can see on the big screen.
Olivia Wilde revealed she was passionate about getting The Invite, her comedy, a theatrical release after its strong audience reception at Sundance. Speaking at the Locarno Film Festival, where the film screens on the Piazza Grande, she said the Sundance reaction was extraordinary and told audiences they have to 'fight for it'. She criticised the practice of financiers being 'bribed' with higher streaming payouts to skip theatrical releases.
The Invite premiered at Sundance, where it drew a notably enthusiastic audience response. Wilde's remarks come amid a broader industry debate over whether streaming-first deals are squeezing cinemas, and after a similar fight was mounted for David Lynch's Wild at Heart.
This is a window into how directors navigate the streaming-versus-theatrical divide at a time when fewer films reach cinemas. It matters to moviegoers who care about keeping the theatrical experience alive and to anyone following how distribution money shapes which films you can see on the big screen.