The Invite is quickly becoming one of critics and audiences favorite films of the year. Olivia Wilde‘s remake of the Spanish-language The People Upstairs has tapped into a kind of awkward, painful vein of comedy that’s been sorely missed. The film walks a fine line between its character-driven humor and marital drama, and the four actors are all exemplary. As with any film that captures widespread attention and inspires such praise, The Invite has left many viewers wanting more.

There are many films that fit a similar bill to what The Invite provides, particularly those which Wilde has listed as major influences when making it. Beyond those, there are also films by the same creatives that also offer something different but equally enjoyable. If you’re a fan of The Invite or its cast, then these are the must-watch movies for you.

‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ (1966)

Image via Warner Bros.

There are many films featuring dysfunctional marriages, several of which Wilde has specifically singled out as inspirations on The Invite, such as Scenes from a Marriage or Husbands and Wives. The greatest of all of these, and the clearest influence, is the Mike Nichols classic Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Based on a play, as was The People Upstairs, the film transcends its theater origins thanks to Nichols direction and the incredible quartet of performances. It’s a far more dramatic piece, but just as equally enthralling.

George (Richard Burton) and Martha (Elizabeth Taylor) are a married couple who like to play games, push buttons and blur the lines between fantasy and reality. That makes for an awkward evening of personal revelations and confrontations when they host younger couple Nick (George Segal) and Honey (Sandy Dennis). Just like The Invite, the tension is all in the performances and the action is all in the emotions of the best directed and acted marital drama of all time. Both Nichols and his entire cast were nominated for Academy Awards, with both Taylor and Dennis walking away with Oscar gold.

‘Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice’ (1969)

Image via Columbia Pictures

Another film that was an obvious influence on The Invite, Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice was a seminal film in depicting polyamory. It may not seem as groundbreaking now more than fifty years later, but it’s still a fun, funny time capsule of both the free love era of the ’60s and Hollywood’s own sexual revolution. Directed by the underrated filmmaker Paul Mazursky, it’s another well-acted, Oscar-nominated story of marriage and sex.

Bob (Robert Culp) and Carol (Natalie Wood) are a couple who have discovered sexual liberation at a retreat. Their friends Ted (Elliot Gould) and Alice (Dyan Cannon) are more conservative and don’t know what to make of their newfound freewheeling ways. The whole film culminates with a proposed foursome that gets further than it does in The Invite. Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice may not be considered as subversive as it once was, but the performances and comedy haven’t aged a day.

‘Take This Waltz’ (2011)

Image via Mongrel Media

If you’re in the mood for another comedic drama about crumbling relationships co-starring Seth Rogen, then look no further than Sarah Polley‘s Take This Waltz. The actress-turned-director has proven to be an insightful chronicler of highly sensitive content in films like Away From Her and Women Talking. The more comedic Take This Waltz doesn’t involve as high-stakes drama as those other films, but is still a keenly observed film about relationships and the loss of passion.

Margot (Michelle Williams) is married to Lou (Rogen). They love each other, but the spark in their marriage has long since faded. When Margot feels that spark with artist Daniel (Luke Kirby), it threatens to tear her apart emotionally. Take This Waltz isn’t necessarily a revelatory film, but it succeeds thanks to the light touch that Polley maintains in exploring the subtleties of relationships and infatuation, and the solid performances of its cast.

‘Celeste and Jesse Forever’ (2012)

Image via Sony Pictures Classics

The sharp screenplay for The Invite was written by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack, which should come as no surprise to anyone who saw their earlier film about a marriage coming to an end, Celeste and Jesse Forever. It’s a charming romantic comedy and a hidden gem of the genre that works because of the self-aware script and the insanely likable cast. It’s an honest and refreshing depiction of a disintegrating marriage that actually makes you want to believe in love.

Celeste (Jones) and Jesse (Andy Samberg) are high school sweethearts whose marriage has come to an end. They decide to remain friends, against the advice of others, but their emotions eventually get the better of both of them as they struggle with their separation separately before trying to move on. Celeste and Jesse Forever isn’t quite as caustic as other divorce movies, and that’s part of what makes it emotionally effective. Not every failed marriage should be considered a failure, and it’s simply nice to see that represented on screen.

‘The Overnight’ (2015)

Image via The Orchard

Advertisement

Take the discomfort of The Invite and amp it up to more outrageous levels, and you might get something like The Overnight. It’s a comic sex romp directed by Patrick Brice, who brings the same kind of nervous energy to it that infects both of his Creep films. Much like Celeste and Jesse, it’s flown mostly under the radar, but, for anyone who loves the tension in The Invite, The Overnight is a must-watch.

Alex (Adam Scott) and Emily (Taylor Schilling) are new in town and looking for adult friends when they meet the eccentric Kurt (Jason Schwartzman) and Charlotte (Judith Godrèche). The couple invites them over for pizza and, once the kids are put to bed, things take a turn towards debauchery. The Overnight works best when Brice employs horror techniques for comedic effect, and the actors, especially Schwartzman, play off that disconcerting tone well. It’s a dark comedy that isn’t going to be for everyone, but deserves more attention than it’s been given.

‘Booksmart’ (2019)

Image via United Artists Releasing

Advertisement

The assuredness with which Wilde directs The Invite is all on display in her raucous debut Booksmart, a film which many labeled as a female Superbad when it came out but which is more than just a gender-swap of that classic teen comedy. It’s a whipsmart coming-of-age film that has a huge amount of empathy and is energized by two outstanding lead performances. It’s certainly a very different flavor of comedy to that which is employed in The Invite, but it’s a perfect showcase for Wilde’s versatility as a director.

As graduation looms, seniors and best friends Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) and Molly (Beanie Feldstein) take solace in the fact that their unpopularity has been worth the fact that they will be attending prestigious schools in the fall. When they discover that their far more popular peers also have bright futures ahead of them, they decide to spend one night partying like they’ve never partied before. That set-up leads to some of the wildness you’d expect, including a Barbie-themed drug trip and some awkward sexcapades, but Wilde also uses the premise to explore underneath the stock labels that so many high school comedies are too quick to try and apply.

‘The Drama’ (2026)

While The Invite and fellow A24 film The Drama seem to be superficially similar, they offer vastly different viewing experiences, with the Zendaya–Robert Pattinson joint offering a dark contrast to Wilde’s decidedly lighter film. Directed by Kristoffer Borgli, and produced by Ari Aster, the film offers a portrait of a couple about to exchange vows whose entire future together is put in jeopardy by a dark revelation.

Charlie (Pattinson) and Emma (Zendaya) are set to walk down the aisle in a week’s time when a conversation with friends reveals a horrifying secret from Emma’s past. The revelation has Charlie questioning everything he knows about Emma, while she begins to deteriorate from stress-induced nightmares. The Drama is even darker than it was advertised as, picking at a particularly potent social issue that it isn’t quite well-equipped enough to handle at times. It’s still affecting in moments, and extremely uncomfortable in others, and it has two very committed and talented actors in the lead role. If The Invite didn’t make you squirm enough, you might see if you can handle The Drama.

Advertisement

The Drama

Advertisement

Release Date

April 3, 2026

Runtime

Advertisement

105 minutes

Director

Kristoffer Borgli

Advertisement

Writers

Kristoffer Borgli

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

In the near future, oil is in short supply and the environment lies in ruins. Civilization, if you can call it that, barely exists, and law and order have been replaced by fear and chaos. On Australia’s desolate roads, there’s only one man you shouldn’t cross – Max Rockatansky (Mel Gibson), a highway cop with a big gun and a bad attitude. When a motorcycle gang exacts revenge on Max for one of their slain members, they quickly realize that was a mistake – one that can only be rectified with their lives.

Who would’ve thought George Miller’s low-budget sci-fi action film would launch a multimedia franchise that’s still going strong in 2026? The Mad Max pictures are some of the genre’s standout movies, with 2015’s Fury Road often ranked as one of the best movies of the 21st century, but Mad Max is where it all started, and it possesses all the trademarks – the extreme camera angles, the gratuitous violence, the silent, swaggering protagonist –  that would make its many sequels and spinoffs into cult classics. 

Reality TV lovers might wonder how the shows decide who to cast and what the process is like. The Blast recently spoke with Jacqui Pitman, Emmy nominated casting director and owner/CEO of Pitman Casting Inc., PartyPit Productions Inc., and Black Rice Media Inc., who shared some insight into what it takes to be cast on a dating reality show. 

Jacqui shared some of the application process, what they are looking for when choosing the show’s cast, and a little peek into the casting process of the upcoming season of “Age of Attraction.” 

Whether you’ve always dreamed of landing on a hit dating reality series or you’re simply curious about the process, Pitman reveals how the cast is chosen and why authenticity is the ultimate key to getting a part on the show. 

5

Pitman Casting is currently in the process of finding the cast for a new season of “Age of Attraction,” the show that asks the question, “When it comes to love, does age really matter?” 

“Our casting process is pretty extensive. It does begin with the application because we really do try to get into the heads of our applicants and from their past, present, and future thoughts about relationships,” she told The Blast exclusively. “Tell us how you were raised and how that influences who you are today and how you see your future based on all of that. So the application is pretty gnarly. But you know, the shows that I do aren’t frivolous dating shows, so they genuinely are looking for people who are looking for their lifelong love.” 

The application is much deeper than just writing your Tinder or Bumble bio and filling in your profile. It’s all about digging deep into the person you are and to uncover exactly what you are looking for with the reality show experience. 

Being In The ‘Right Mindset’ Is Important When Applying To Be On A Reality Show

5

The application process goes deep and it’s lengthy, so being in the “right mindset” to be on the show you are applying for is necessary. 

“It’s a huge commitment. If you’re doing a show like ‘Age of Attraction’ or even ‘Golden Bachelor,’ you are going away for an extended period of time and you are not doing it for money because there is no money in it as a dater,” Jacqui said. “So you have to be in the right mindset of doing this because you’re looking for your person.”

After the written application, if chosen, there is a pre-interview you must go through first.

“When we’re talking to you, if you are not at the point where you are really ready to connect authentically in real life, you are not really ready for these kinds of shows because you won’t make the commitment,” she said. “Dating has really made people jaded about dating, so a lot of people come to us with negative energy about dating and that’s not what we’re looking for.”

She said the most “amazing person could be standing in front of you, but because you’ve altered your view of what you think the type of person you should be with, you miss out.” Jacqui and her staff always listen for what’s not being said during these interviews and ask people to be as open as possible.

What Pitman Casting Is Looking For When Casting A Dating Reality Show

5

It’s a serious process choosing who will be the next cast of a dating show. One thing that casting is very clear on is making sure participants are ready to connect with someone authentically and make the commitment to the show. 

“We of course look for personality, and we look for people who are aspirational,” she shared. “My staff is trained to always listen for what they’re not saying. My executive producers are extremely conscious of a person coming forward who could just be on any dating show. They’re like, ‘Why do they want to do this show? Why now for this show?’ And that’s ‘Age of Attraction’ and ‘The Golden Bachelor’ for sure.” 

Because of the lack of dating reality shows for the older generation, when casting for “The Golden Bachelor” or “The Golden Bachelorette,” Pitman Casting receives tens of thousands of applications. 

Jacqui said that the first weeding of applications becomes anyone younger than 60. She’s had many people in their 50s apply and says, “we’re not ready to meet you.” Carefully following the casting instructions is essential to staying in the running and increasing your chances of advancing to the next stage of the selection process.

Jacqui shared some advice for anyone thinking of applying to “The Golden Bachelor” or “The Golden Bachelorette.”

“Know who you are and be open to what you might want, because you could be pleasantly surprised and be ready for the commitment. Don’t think you’re coming to do this for the money because there isn’t money. We don’t do that,” she said. “Come because you are looking for your person.”

‘Age Of Attraction’ Is Gearing Up For A New Season

5

While it’s too late to apply for the next season of “Age of Attraction,” The Blast got some insight into what the initial application looks like. The process is currently in the interview phase of casting, with filming beginning in October. 

If you’re planning to apply for a future season, here are some questions you should be ready to answer in detail for your shot of being chosen for the show. Questions about your family, greatest accomplishments, how your friends would describe you, if you are competitive, and how you handle conflict are just a few of the topics you’ll need to deep dive into. 

Other questions include topics such as details about your last relationship, things about you that might surprise casting, how often you date, what you’re seeking in a mate, what your end goal is in dating, would you date someone with children, life obstacles you’ve overcome, your experience with dating apps, and how you feel about age gap relationships. 

Since this particular show is all about age gap dating, there’s a focus on specific casting questions revolving around age.

“Considering this is a show where no one knows how old the other is until they start to go down the path, it’s fascinating to see because you are not using that as a criteria, which so many of us do,” Jacqui said. “The moment you open your dating app, you set your age range, and we’re not doing that; you can’t do that on this show.”

More About Jacqui Pitman And Pitman Casting

5

Jacqui has played a crucial role in the success of many television shows over the past few decades. She has contributed to more than 500 shows, including “Big Brother 2,” “America’s Most Wanted,” “Let’s Make a Deal,” and many others. 

Her latest achievement is her part in casting romantics in their golden years on “The Golden Bachelor” and “The Golden Bachelorette.”

Jacqui’s career in television dates back to the late 1980s when she appeared on popular dating shows “Love Connection” and “STUDS.” She later transitioned to working behind the camera, serving as the casting director for “Big Brother 2.” 

As Senior Vice President of Development at Lighthearted Entertainment, she went on to create and executive produce MTV’s hit dating series, “NEXT!,” drawing inspiration from her own experiences. She also developed and co-executive produced ABC’s “Extreme Makeover.”

Pitman Casting is currently casting for a few popular shows including “Let’s Make a Deal,” “The Golden Bachelor,” “The Golden Bachelorette,” and a few others.

For more information about Pitman Casting and to apply for one of the show’s seeking participants, visit the website.

Oop! Roomies, Saucy Santana and Deshae Frost have internet users crackin’ UP after running from an apparent alligator during a recent livestream.

RELATED: You Good?! Social Media Is Crackin’ UP At Footage Of Saucy Santana Taking A Tumble While Jumping Off A Yacht (VIDEO)

Saucy Santana & Deshae Frost Ran From Apparent Alligator During Livestream

On Wednesday, July 22, Deshare Frost published footage from his recent livestream with Saucy Santana via YouTube. About four minutes into the 43-minute-long footage, Frost explained that they would retrieve their food and fish from the nearby creek.

Then, in a second video published via YouTube, the pair got to work, setting up their grill and campfire. However, around the 52-minute mark, Santana decided to teach Frost “how to catch an alligator.” As Frost waded into the water, Santana motioned for him to be quiet. Nonetheless, the pair began joking about Frost being baptized in the creek water. This, when Santana apparently heard a sound, quickly motioned for everyone to be quiet again.

“Okay, now look, pay attention,” Santana told Frost. “Look right here… you see that alligator? When it get close, we finna get out the water, okay?”

As Frost laughed, Santana explained that it wasn’t time for jokes and instructed the streamer to “watch the ripples” in the water. At that point, both Santana and Frost noticed bubbles on the water’s surface.

“Oh, that is an alligator!” Frost said.

Peep the clip of them immediately fleeing the scene below.

Saucy Santana & Deshae Frost Have Internet Users Crackin’ UP

Internet users were crackin’ UP at the footage of Saucy Santana and Deshae Frost in TSR Teen’s comment section.

Before The Rapper Was Running From An Apparent Alligator During Livestream, He Popped Out At Streamer University

Before Saucy Santana had the internet crackin’ up by running from an apparent alligator with Deshae Frost, he made headlines at Streamer University. As The Shade Room previously reported, earlier this month, Santana snuck onto the Streamer University campus with Lizzo, and Kai Cenat didn’t hesitate to call out the ordeal.

RELATED: Too Loud On The Creek? Kai Cenat Speaks Out After Saucy Santana Sneaks Onto Streamer University Campus (VIDEOS)

Mario slipped on stage while performing In ‘The R&B Tour‘ on Tuesday July 21, and fans are working overtime with their reactions. The singer is currently on tour with Chris Brown and Usher, and he slipped while singing to a crowd in St. Louis.

RELATED: Daddy Duties! Chris Brown Shares Adorable Photo Alongside His Baby Boy Arrow

Mario Slips While Performing Let Me Love You’ In St. Louis

The 39-year-old singer was performing his hit ‘Let Me Love You’ to a crowd in St. Louis when he slipped, and the moment was captured by Instagram user @bubbiea26. The recording artist was walking across the stage, sporting a maroon leather vest-jacket and matching pants as he performed. All of a sudden, Mario slipped… hard. As he tried to stand up, he slipped again. Finally, Mario got on his feet, but he took a moment to make sure he was steady before moving on, which he did effortlessly. Despite his Slip-N-Slide routine, the singer showed he was a true professional and kept on with the show.

Fan Reactions Are Undefeated

Fans reacted after the video was shared on Instagram, and per usual, our Roomies weighed in with their usual panache. They also commended Marion for his professionalism following his fall.

User @mrclaytontaylor questioned if baby oil was the culprit. “Was Diddy in the building????? 👀👀👀🤣🤣🤣.”

@tonyleezy added, “its the person recording still singing along during the slip for me 😂.”

User @rnb.radar replied, “He still hit that note tho 🙂‍↕️.”

User @kingmeqween_bree joked, “Man imagine if he was singing ‘How Do I breathe’ 😂😂😂😂.”

@tjay848 noted, “Bruh walked off then looked back at the floor as if the floor did something to him 😂😂😂.”

@queen_keene added, “Why when we fall we look like that?!?!?!🤣🤣🤣 His recovery was smooth though..🤣🤣.”

User @mzyoyo78 also noted, “This man never missed a beat when he fell #STL.”

Chris Brown Loves On Fans During ‘The R&B Tour’

Fans are loving ‘The R&B Tour,’ and Brown in particular is going viral for his fan interactions during the show. Brown brought a fan onstage during a recent concert and gave her the VIP treatment. While he sang ‘Take You Down,’ a shirtless Brown got on top of the fan as she lay in the bed. The artist shared a clip of the moment in his Instagram Stories and asked his fans, “This what yall wanted?” It appears as though he understood the assignment!

RELATED: Ho’ Up! Dave Chappelle Surprised Usher At His Concert & The Moment Is Going Viral (VIDEO)

Howard University is stepping to the mic after viral tweets accusing it of displacing up to 500 students ahead of the fall semester. News of the enrollment update began circulating late Wednesday (July 22). By Thursday, the talks had escalated, with weigh-ins from students, alumni, and even high-profile figures like Pastor Jamal Bryant. Howard is now clarifying the switch-up and the next steps students can take. The fall semester will begin on August 17.

RELATED: Prayers Up! Two Alleged Suspects In Custody After Shooting Leaves Multiple Injured Near Howard University (VIDEO)

Posts About Displaced Students Surface On Social Media

As mentioned, social media was already going in on Howard hours before its Office of Communications dropped a statement. Threads, in particular, was popping off with reactions. While some reactions showed empathy for students, others explained that the enrollment update is a standard procedure. Others insisted that the update sparked a host of other issues for students and their families.

 

 

Advertisement

 

 

Advertisement

 

 

Advertisement

Pastor Jamal Bryant Joins Viral Howard Talk

Pastor Jamal Bryant, a Morehouse alum, is one of the first celebrities to publicly address the situation at Howard University. Taking to Threads, he shared prayers for the students and called on other HBCUs to step in.

“My heart and prayers going out to the 500 students displaced by Howard university … trying to see what HBCUs can help take them. We can’t let the spirits of these young scholars be broken 🙏🏾,” Bryant wrote.

Howard University Office Of Communications Says Students Were Warned

On Thursday, the Howard University Office of Communications addressed the ongoing backlash concerning their enrollment changes. The statement went live on its news hub, The Dig, and opened with acknowledging how “difficult and disappointing” the update was for students and their families. Then, the second bolded sentence explains the timeline of warnings impacted students received, beginning in March.

“Howard University provided multiple detailed communications throughout March, April, May, June, and July to first-time-in-college students and families on steps needed to secure enrollment for the fall 2026 semester,” the statement read. “Notifications included emails, personalized financial aid information, videos, and Bison Prep sessions—to help incoming students understand tuition payment requirements, payment plan options, the process for reporting outside scholarships, and the deadlines necessary to secure their enrollment.”

So what happened? Well, according to Howard University, the students who didn’t meet the payment expectations or the reporting deadline for scholarships and other financial aid got the boot. Or, as the statement said, “were notified that the University [could] no longer hold their place in the incoming class.” 

In the meantime, Howard University will be reviewing information about “anticipated scholarship funding and other financial aid.” Additionally, it “will
consider relevant circumstances presented regarding pending scholarship awards and financial aid resources.” 

Students who have questions can reach out to Howard University officials HERE.

RELATED: $650K & No Experience? FAMU’s New President Sparks UPROAR Over Political Ties | TSR Investigates