Olivia Wilde wins fight for *The Invite*’s theatrical release

Olivia Wilde said she fought hard to get her new film *The Invite* a proper cinema release, warning that studios often push directors toward streaming to save money.

Speaking at the Locarno Film Festival, Wilde said distributors tried to persuade her to skip theaters by offering incentives. “They bribe you to not take theatrical,” she told reporters. “They give you all these reasons why it’s better for the film, for the audience, for the numbers—none of it is true.” She didn’t name the studio or platform involved but stressed the importance of seeing films on the big screen, calling it a “cultural experience.”

Wilde’s comments reflect a growing tension in Hollywood. As streaming giants swallow more of the market, traditional cinemas struggle to fill seats. Studios often argue that skipping theaters widens reach and boosts early revenue. But directors and critics say that pushes audiences toward algorithms and short attention spans, rather than shared, immersive experiences. Wilde’s film is a thriller starring Wilde herself, Jude Law, and Wyatt Russell, and is backed by a mid-sized studio known for mid-budget genre films.

Her push for theatrical distribution comes as major releases like *Dune: Part Two* and *Deadpool & Wolverine* have proven big-screen films can still draw crowds. Wilde’s stance may resonate with filmmakers who fear the slow death of the cinema experience. The next step is whether *The Invite* can draw audiences to theaters beyond its festival buzz. Wilde said she’s confident in the film’s quality and the value of seeing it with strangers—not just at home.