"The Invitation" MOVIE REVIEW.

 

"The Invitation"

MOVIE REVIEW.

 

The Invitation is an American horror thriller film directed by Jessica M. Thompson and written by Blair Butler. It stars Nathalie Emmanuel as Evelyn "Evie" Jackson and Thomas Doherty as Walter De Ville. Loosely inspired by Bram Stoker's Dracula, the film weaves a tale of intrigue, romance, and dark secrets that unfold when Evie discovers a long-lost branch of her family. Beneath its gothic romance veneer lies a sinister story about vampires, betrayal, and survival.

 

Initially titled The Bride, the project was produced by Emile Gladstone under Latchkey Productions. It was also supported by Ghost House Pictures, the production house of Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert. However, Raimi and Tapert exited due to scheduling conflicts. The title, director, and producer were confirmed in 2020. Filming commenced in September 2021 in Budapest, with casting taking place earlier that year.

 

The film premiered in the United States on August 26, 2022, distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing. Critics offered mixed-to-negative reviews, praising Nathalie Emmanuel's performance but criticizing the film's story, screenplay, and execution of horror elements. Despite its flaws, *The Invitation* adds to the catalog of modern gothic thrillers. 

 

The movie opens with a chilling scene at New Carfax Abbey, a grand and foreboding estate in England. A young woman, imprisoned in an opulent but ominous room, escapes and, despite desperate pleas from her pursuers, hangs herself from the grand staircase. This haunting moment sets the tone for the dark secrets to come.

 

In present-day New York City, Evie Jackson, a struggling artist, works freelance catering jobs alongside her best friend, Grace. Following her mother's death, Evie feels unmoored, with no close family to support her. On a whim, she takes a DNA test, only to discover a distant cousin in England, Oliver Alexander. Excited yet wary, she agrees to meet him. During their meeting, Oliver recounts the scandal of Evie's great-grandmother Emmaline, who had a secret child with a Black footman.

 

Oliver invites Evie to attend an extravagant family wedding at New Carfax Abbey. Upon arrival, she is awestruck by the gothic splendor of the estate and its enigmatic lord, Walter De Ville. She is introduced to the staff, including the sharp-eyed butler Mr. Field and the head maid, Mrs. Swift. Evie also meets Lucy, a friendly maid of honor, and Viktoria, who is haughty and condescending. Over time, Evie and Walter develop a romantic connection.

 

As Evie settles into the mansion, eerie occurrences begin. She witnesses apparitions in her room and notices the maids disappearing under mysterious circumstances. Walter’s charm and warmth keep her anchored, but her unease grows. Her suspicions deepen when she sneaks into his office and finds records showing he had researched her long before her arrival. When confronted, Walter apologizes, and the tension eases as their attraction culminates in a passionate night.

 

At a grand rehearsal dinner, Evie anticipates meeting the bride and groom but is horrified when Walter announces that she is to be his bride. The sinister truth unravels: Walter, Lucy, and Viktoria are vampires. In a horrifying display, Mr. Field sacrifices a maid, and her blood is consumed like wine. Walter explains that for centuries, three wealthy families, including the Alexanders, have offered one of their women as a bride in exchange for protection and prosperity. Emmaline, Evie's ancestor, had been Walter's wife but killed herself out of guilt and grief.

 

Evie is imprisoned in the manor's cellar, where Lucy and Viktoria taunt her. Viktoria reveals herself as the apparition Evie had seen and introduces Dee, a maid who had vanished earlier. Viktoria attempts to trap Evie in a coffin, but Mrs. Swift helps her escape. However, Mrs. Swift pays the ultimate price for her defiance.

 

Fleeing into town, Evie encounters a couple she believes can help her. They reveal themselves as Jonathan and Mina Harker, loyal servants of Walter, and knock her unconscious. When she awakens, Walter, now revealed as Dracula, forces her to proceed with the wedding ceremony. Dee is tied up as a sacrificial offering.

 

During the vows, Evie tricks Walter by biting his arm and drinking his blood, which turns her into a vampire. Using her newfound strength, she sets the chapel ablaze and battles the vampires. In a climactic fight, Lucy sacrifices herself to destroy Viktoria. Evie kills Mr. Field before confronting Walter. After severing his hand, she pushes him into the flames, killing him and breaking her connection to his bloodline. As the manor burns, Evie escapes with Dee.

 

Two weeks later, Evie and Grace track down Oliver in London. Knowing he had lured Evie into the deadly arrangement, they confront him. While the film concludes ambiguously, their intent to deliver justice is clear.

 

The Invitation blends gothic romance and horror, exploring themes of family, betrayal, and survival. Nathalie Emmanuel delivers a compelling performance as Evie, a modern heroine navigating ancestral horrors. Despite its promising premise, critics found fault with its predictable story and uneven horror elements. However, its rich atmosphere and dramatic moments offer a glimpse into what modern gothic tales can achieve.