A24's Latest Comedy Falls Flat
· food
When “Transgressive” Becomes Mainstream
The Invite, Olivia Wilde’s new comedy about an unhappy couple tempted by their polyamorous neighbors, is being hailed as a bold and transgressive exploration of nonmonogamy. However, having lived through the cultural watershed moments that made Vicky Cristina Barcelona feel so daring in 2008, I’m left wondering if we’re just going through the motions now.
Open relationships and ethical nonmonogamy have indeed come a long way since then. What was once a taboo topic is now a common conversation starter – not just among the young and naive, but also in mainstream media. Love Island, with its throuple negotiations and polyamory-adjacent couples, has become the new normal.
When The Invite presents a scenario where an unhappy couple contemplates nonmonogamy as a viable solution, it doesn’t feel transgressive anymore. In fact, it feels like more of the same – another movie that tries to be a social commentary but ends up being just another take on the same old narrative.
The Invite’s chamber piece structure and claustrophobic bickering humor are reminiscent of The Drama this spring, which also tackled themes of nonmonogamy. However, while The Drama lived up to its promise as a thought-provoking drama, I left The Invite feeling like it didn’t quite deliver. It was another movie about an unhappy couple, and the suggestion that they might turn to nonmonogamy felt more like a cop-out than a bold statement.
Our cultural attitudes towards polyamory have shifted significantly over the years. What was once considered radical has become increasingly mainstream. As a result, the novelty and shock value of exploring these themes on screen have worn off. We’re no longer living in a world where Vicky Cristina Barcelona felt like a daring exploration of nonmonogamy.
The Invite understands this shift all too well. In its attempts to be a thought-provoking commentary, it ends up feeling more like a shallow exercise in exploring the “what ifs” of polyamory. It’s a movie that tries to explain the vocabulary of non-monogamy but ultimately falls short of being a genuine exploration.
We’re at a cultural moment where we’re ready for more than just another movie about an unhappy couple contemplating nonmonogamy. We’re ready for movies that actually explore the complexities and nuances of polyamory, rather than treating it as a punchline or a convenient plot twist. The Invite may be this year’s big mainstream movie about polyamory, but it feels like we’re just scratching the surface.
The future of polyamory on screen is uncertain. Will we see more movies that genuinely explore these themes, or will they continue to feel like shallow attempts at being transgressive? One thing is certain – we’re ready for more than just another “what if” scenario.
As our cultural attitudes towards polyamory shift and evolve, so too must our storytelling. We need movies that are willing to take risks and push the boundaries of what’s acceptable on screen. The Invite may have been a well-intentioned attempt at exploring nonmonogamy, but it ultimately feels like a missed opportunity.
We’re ready for a new era in cultural storytelling – one that’s willing to tackle the complexities and nuances of polyamory with honesty and vulnerability. We need movies that will challenge our assumptions and push us further into the unknown. The future of cultural storytelling is bright – and it’s time to take a step forward into the uncharted territories of polyamory.
Reader Views
- CDChef Dani T. · line cook
While Olivia Wilde's The Invite tries to pass off polyamory as a bold solution for unhappy couples, it neglects the complexities of actually navigating multiple relationships in real life. Polyamory isn't just about being "open-minded" or "free-spirited," but requires a deep understanding of power dynamics and emotional labor – something The Invite glosses over with its shallow portrayal of throuple negotiations and polyamory-adjacent couples. Without genuine insight into the nuances of nonmonogamy, The Invite feels like just another watered-down take on what was once considered taboo, rather than a truly transgressive exploration.
- TKThe Kitchen Desk · editorial
The Invite's attempt at subverting monogamy norms feels like a missed opportunity to truly challenge societal expectations. By relying on tired tropes of unhappy couples seeking polyamorous solutions, the film plays it safe instead of pushing boundaries. But what about exploring the nuances of non-monogamous relationships that don't involve romance? The Invite glosses over this aspect, opting for a more sensationalized take. This oversight neglects the complexity and diversity of human relationships beyond romantic love, leaving the film feeling shallow and uninspired.
- PMPat M. · home cook
The Invite's attempt at transgression feels more like a lazy rehashing of familiar themes. We've been conditioned to accept nonmonogamy as a viable solution for unhappy couples, but what about when that's not an option? What about the couples who can't afford to leave their toxic relationships or don't have access to the luxury of exploring polyamory? It's time to stop treating these issues as thought-provoking commentary and start tackling the complexities of actual social inequality.