Olivia Wilde's The Invite proves that a simple premise can make for an unforgettable night at the movies. Anchored by a career-best performance from Seth Rogen and outstanding work from Olivia Wilde, Penélope Cruz, and Ed Norton, this witty and heartfelt dinner party comedy delivers sharp laughs, genuine emotion, and a mystery that keeps you engaged until its satisfying final reveal. Read my full, spoiler-free review to find out why The Invite is one of my biggest surprises of the year.

Our review of The Moment examines Charli XCX’s struggle with fame, burnout, and creative identity in a quietly compelling music documentary.

Set five years in the past, Eddington isn’t interested in subtlety—it’s bold, charged, and unapologetically political. Rather than focus on detailed backstories or emotional arcs, the film zeroes in on ideology. We learn more about the characters’ stances on COVID protocols, government mandates, and personal freedoms than we do about their histories or motivations. And somehow, that’s enough. In a world still reeling from the long-term effects of the pandemic, Eddington uses its western framework to dissect how fractured our perspectives became—and still are. Director Ari Aster leans into discomfort, making the absence of traditional character depth a statement in itself. The cast meets this challenge head-on, with Joaquin Phoenix delivering a nuanced performance as Joe Cross, a man who starts off as simply disgruntled and evolves into something far more dangerous. Pedro Pascal balances him out with quiet restraint as Ted Garcia, giving the film its emotional center, even as the plot spirals into darker territory. What begins as a political standoff subtly transforms into a moral reckoning, with echoes of Breaking Bad in its descent.

Read Braden’s review of "We Live in Time" and discover why this beautifully crafted film is sure to resonate deeply and evoke a wide range of emotions.