Review: The Invitation is a surprising take on a fascinating but oft-told vampire story
Cross Jane Austen’s tendencies with Bram Stoker’s and you have a surprisingly scary and hilarious new gothic horror picture, The Invitation.
The film caught me off guard. My expectations for going to the theater were low. From late August to September, studios often dump films that are struggling to sell. Going into the theater, my big hope was not to fall asleep halfway through the movie.
I shouldn’t have worried. “The Invitation” was one of the strangest and funnest trips to the theater this summer for me. Don’t get me wrong. Directed by Jessica M. Thompson from a screenplay by her and Blair Butler, the film revolves around the oft-told B-movie plot; however, the acting and production of the film is A-list in my book.
Thompson and her cinematographer Autumn Eakin collaborated to create a beautifully directed and shot film that offers what appears to be a list of production values despite the film’s The film is exquisitely crafted in its darkness and luxurious to be enjoyed despite theun unnoticeable a opening scenes of the film set up in the film’s opening scene.
I won’t say much more, but the climax is action packed. An atmospheric film, it’s not a masterpiece, but if you like gothic horror, you’ll probably appreciate it on some level.
For fans of Dracula and vampires in general, the film is filled with enticing bits and pieces that will add to the enjoyment of the film without detracting from the plot or pacing of the film. I’ll probably watch the movie again when it comes out on streaming to catch any easter eggs I may have missed.
Emmanuelle is a character everyone will enjoy rooting for, even if she’s as gullible as most horror queens. Doherty gives a strong hot and cold predatory performance that is both charming and dangerous.
Corneliussen and Boden have a great time chewing the scenery in their minor wedding roles, and Sean Pertwee is suitably creepy as Mr. Fields, Walt’s right-hand man.
This would be a fun Halloween movie. It will most likely play on the streaming network this October.
