A film that capitalizes on a creeping sense of doom and a popcorn that left us quite divided.
Dave: Well, if COVID didn't cure me of wanting to host dinner parties, this film sure did. The Invitation cleverly plays on the inherent awkward nature of dinner parties and human relationships. Through the plot device of a cult and untimely death of a child, though, the film amps that mundane discomfort well past reasonable levels. It's one of those horror movies where you slowly slide into the alternate reality, not quite sure what's happening until things are too far gone. Even though you have an inkling of what's happening from early on, the last 10-15 minutes is absolutely horrifying, but not in that blood bath gory way. Still, the film drops off a sheer psychological cliff that left both of us hiding under blankets. Sadly, the cast didn't all carry their roles well - the main male character was from the Keanu Reeves school of acting and the male evil cult person looked like he'd taken a page from the Mr. Bean, but slightly creepier. Still, the absolutely gorgeous midcentury modern house that the entire film was set in made up for at least some of the unfortunate casting. (⭐️⭐️ ⭐️)
I never got a straight answer as to what this popcorn was called, but it might as well have been called Stereotypical Asian Flavor Popcorn. Between the salty rice cracker snack mix, and what tasted like a cup of sesame oil and soy sauce, this popcorn felt way too one-note for me. The soy and sesame overpowered everything - that tasted nice after the first handful, but by the end, I was just driven to keep eating because of the salt, I think. (⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️)
Joe: Well, this was terrifying, but in the best way possible. The Invitation is a slow burn. Not much happens for the first hour or so of the film, but the dread begins to set in moments after the two principle leads walk through the doors of that beautiful Hollywood mansion. And then all hell breaks loose. Like the best horror films, The Invitation relies more on psychological horror than on gore: though there are some violent scenes toward the end, what characters are facing is far more unsettling. And the final frame: Jesus Christ on a cross. Unnerving. (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
This review is going to be short and sweet: I would eat this popcorn every day of every week from now until the day I exit this mortal coil. The end. (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Popcorn recipe from: Popcorn Board
The Invitation on IMDB.
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