The Invitation ★★★½

THE Invitation is one of those films that can pass with little attention, but deserves more.

It is a smart and thought-provoking psychological drama that builds slowly, but always interestingly, to a satisfying conclusion that manages to contain predictable and surprising elements.

Logan Marshall-Green plays Will who, with his new girlfriend Kira, has accepted an invitation from his ex-wife and her new partner to a dinner party with several of their mutual, long-standing friends.

Will is reluctant as the marriage ended following the death of their child and feelings of guilt and blame continue on both sides.

His wife retreated to Mexico and returned two years later with a new husband and active involvement in a movement known as The Invitation.

During the dinner party the couple reveal aspects of their movement, but not the full story. Another guest, unknown to the others, is a man named Pruitt who is also a believer in the movement.

A series of events unfold that lead Will to believe the trio have suspicious motives for bringing the group together. But, at every turn, his theory doesn’t seem to add up and Will becomes estranged from the group.

The rest of the film you will need to see.

Marshall-Green does a good job in the lead role and I also liked John Carroll Lynch (Twisty the Clown in the last series of American Horror Story) as the silent, unsettling Pruitt .

The director, Karyn Kusama, has made a few half interesting previous films, Aeon Flux, Jennifer’s Body and Girlfight, but this is her best.