#jessica m thompson

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Women in Film Challenge 2023: [82/52] The Invitation, dir. Jessica M. Thompson (USA, 2022)

You modern women are so ungrateful.

[icedsodapop]

The Dracula film starring Nathalie Emmanuel was a better "Eat The Rich" movie than fucking Saltburn when it literally lured you in with the class porn and then turned it on its head by depicting the British aristocratic class as literal fucking vampires.

[heavenlycinema]

The Invitation (2022)

Jessica M. Thompson (Dir)

“Everyone’s dying to meet you.”

[horrorwomensource]

Nathalie Emmanuel as Evie Jackson • The Invitation (2022) dir. Jessica M. Thompson

[thethirdbear]

[peggybrandt]

The Invitation (2022) dir. Jessica M. Thompson

[cptrs]

[brokehorrorfan]

The Invitation will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on October 25 via Sony Pictures. Inspired by Bram Stoker's Dracula, the 2022 horror film is currently available on Digital.

Jessica M. Thompson directs from a script by Blair Butler (Hell Fest, Polaroid). Nathalie Emmanuel, Thomas Doherty, Stephanie Corneliussen, Alana Boden, Courtney Taylor, Hugh Skinner, Sean Pertwee, and Carol Ann Crawford star.

In addition to the theatrical cut, an extended, unrated version is included.

After the death of her mother and having no other known relatives, Evie (Nathalie Emmanuel) takes a DNA test...and discovers a long-lost cousin she never knew she had. Invited by her newfound family to a lavish wedding in the English countryside, she’s at first seduced by the sexy aristocrat host but is soon thrust into a nightmare of survival as she uncovers twisted secrets in her family's history and the unsettling intentions behind their sinful generosity.

Pre-order The Invitation.

[rookie-critic]

The Invitation (2022, dir. Jessica M. Thompson) - review by Rookie-Critic

The Invitation didn't do it for me. I felt like the whole time it was trying to evoke this mix of Bram Stoker and Anne Rice, but ultimately it ended up feeling like a film just two steps above a Lifetime movie. The romance was stale, the twist held no weight as it was given away in the trailers (and even if it hadn't been you could see it coming from a mile away), and the dialogue took itself way too seriously. There are 2 good things this movie had going for it. The first is that the premise, while poorly executed, is solid. It's an interesting story that, had the script (and just about everything else, too, honestly) been different, could have really soared. The tension feels so forced, like the filmmakers didn't trust the spooky mansion and general bad vibes of the setting and characters to carry the horror on its own, so they just stuffed scenes with artificial "scares" that leave you more annoyed than frightened.

The second thing is Nathalie Emmanuel, who is acting at least 3 tiers above everyone else in the movie. It's uncanny how good she is compared to any other actor in a given scene. Hugh Skinner, who plays the Cousin Oliver character in the film, almost looks lost in every single scene he's in. I'm not sure if it was a direction given to him or what, and I tend to give actors the benefit of the doubt on these things, but his performance was just outright bizarre. His facial expressions didn't match the tone of the scenes, his mannerisms and speech patterns had this uncanny valley, off nature to them, and, as I said before, he just looks really uncomfortable and lost every time he's on camera. I would think it was supposed to be taken as comical if there was even an iota of that in any of the conversations he's a part of, but that's just not the case. Regardless, Emmanuel proves she's a powerhouse even when given material that is not so good, and while I wouldn't recommend going to see this one, if you do feel the compulsion to check it out I would do so for her.

Score: 4/10

Currently available to rent or purchase on digital (iTunes, Amazon, Vudu, etc.) and on DVD & Blu-ray through Screen Gems/Sony Pictures.

[vintagewarhol]

[directorsnarrative]

The Invitation • Director Jessica M Thompson

[realwomenofgaming]

The Invitation: A Review

Some weddings are killer fun! A review of The Invitation by @ThiatheBard @InvitationMovie #InvitationMovie #horrormovie #review

Who doesn’t dream of an ideal family? Who doesn’t dream of luxury? What if it was an ideal family who had money and luxury? What if that happened to you? Suddenly a wealthy family member was found? How far would you go to fit in? How low would you let your guard drop? I love movies that force you to think about big, seemingly impossible questions. Most of us will never be in this movie or…

[middleofrow]

Now Streaming Review: The Invitation

Now Streaming Review: The Invitation

(more…)

[adamwatchesmovies]

The Invitation (2022)

At its core, The Invitation has a good concept that to my knowledge, no one else has ever tapped. This actually makes the movie disappointing. Even before the “I dunno, just wrap it up” ending, this film isn’t living up to its potential.

Evie Jackson (Nathalie Emmanuel) is mourning the recent death of her mother when she learns she has some previously unknown family in England. After connecting with her distant cousin Oliver (Hugh Skinner), he convinces her to attend a wedding at the New Carfax Abbey in Whitby. There she and Lord Walter De Ville (Thomas Doherty) form an immediate romantic bond. A dream-come-true romance out of nowhere with a wealthy noble from overseas? It all seems too good to be true…

We know there’s something sinister coming because the very first scene features a gruesome decapitation. From there, it takes too long for Evie to encounter any sinister business. The maids brought in to get the house ready for the wedding should be worried but the worst thing Evie experiences are bad dreams and some animosity from Viktoria (Stephanie Corneliussen, who as far as I can tell is what warrants the “Unrated” in the “Unrated Version” version of this movie by almost appearing nude), another guest at the party who seems awfully close to the friendly Lucy (Alana Boden). Mostly, we’re focussing on Evie and Walter as they get closer together while the maids scream in the darkness. Thankfully, enough time is spent on the couple to make what’s going on between them convincing but all that focus on romance can make the movie feel a little slow.

While I didn't enjoy this film, that doesn't mean you won't. No matter what I say, the people involved in this project did it: they actually made a movie. That's something to be applauded. With that established...

I feel like the advertisements are giving this away but there’s a twist. The wedding Evie has been invited to is being celebrated by vampires. Specifically, the groom is Count Dracula. There are several references to the Bram Stoker novel: One of his three brides is named Lucy, Evie meets an elderly couple named Jonathan and Mina Harker (Jeremy Wheeler and Elizabeth Counssel), Walter's butler is named Renfield/Mr. Field, the vampires are shown to be immune (or at the very least, weakened) by sunlight rather than dying from it, and the word “Nosferatu” is uttered. I like the concept of following one of Dracula’s brides rather than the Count himself.

What kind of woman would choose to stay with an immortal creature of the night? This movie isn't interested in the question. As soon as Evie learns what’s going on, her mission is only to escape, and since we know all the vampires won’t let her go, it means she has to find a way to kill them all too. Some of the ways she dispatches the bloodsuckers contradict what we learned about them earlier but never mind that. We’ve got to wrap this up, quickly! Just get it done!

There’s a lot more that could be done with the concept behind The Invitation. The best scene has the friction between Evie and Viktoria building while Evie is getting her nails done. All those sharp instruments clipping around her fingers… you just know something bad is going to happen and it makes you sweat. Moments like this make you hope this horror/mystery/romance will come together but the ending is such a waste. The movie wasn't particularly scary before but now, it just gets lazy, with some totally unnecessary attacks from the villains toward Evie because of her race. I’m not saying it comes out of completely nowhere, since - as we’ve seen with Megan Markel - the British aristocracy isn’t exactly known for their inclusivity but it's the sort of thing you weave into your movie rather than just toss in to seem relevant.

The Invitation isn’t scary enough, doesn’t take advantage of its novel concept and features a surprisingly unimaginative conclusion. It’s a shame. I don’t think the movie even does enough well to possibly earn itself a remake in the future; it’s just destined to be forgotten. (November 4, 2022)

[jordyvix]

THE INVITATION Adds a Little Modern Flair to a Classic Tale

When a DNA kit connects her with a long-lost relative, a woman finds that their kind invitation to meet the rest of the family has more sinister intentions. Starring Nathalie Emmanuel and Thomas Doherty, The Invitation is a satisfying retelling of a class

When a DNA kit connects her with a long-lost relative, a woman finds that their kind invitation to meet the rest of the family has more sinister intentions. Starring Nathalie Emmanuel and Thomas Doherty, The Invitation is a satisfying retelling of a classic literary monster with lots of gothic horror goodness along the way. Having just lost her mother and with no other family, Evie (Emmanuel)…