Olivia Wilde Opens Up About Her Surprise Kiss With ‘The Invite’ Co-Star Penélope Cruz: “It Was Extremely Hot”
Olivia Wilde’s new comedy ‘The Invite‘ has already been drawing attention for its unusual relationship story and its talented cast, but one behind-the-scenes moment has become one of the biggest talking points. The film brings Wilde together with Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton for a story centered around a dinner party that takes an unexpected turn.
Directed by Wilde, ‘The Invite’ follows a couple whose relationship is struggling before a dinner with their neighbors pushes their personal boundaries in surprising ways. The film has been praised for mixing comedy with more serious ideas about love, intimacy, and long-term relationships.
During an appearance on the ‘Table Manners’ podcast, Wilde opened up about one unexpected moment while filming with Cruz that caught her completely off guard. The actress and filmmaker explained that Cruz improvised a kiss between their characters, creating a reaction from Wilde that was completely genuine.
Wilde said the surprise moment caused her to lose focus because she was so impressed by Cruz’s choice as a performer. The scene was ultimately kept in the final version of the movie, turning an unexpected piece of improvisation into one of the film’s memorable moments.
The story has added another layer of excitement around the chemistry between Wilde and Cruz, who share the screen alongside Rogen and Norton. The cast has been one of the major selling points of ‘The Invite’, with critics highlighting the performances as a key reason the movie has connected with audiences.

The film itself comes from a creative team that includes writers Rashida Jones and Will McCormack, with the story adapted from the Spanish film ‘The People Upstairs’. Wilde took over as director and also stars in the movie, making it another major step in her filmmaking career after projects including ‘Booksmart’ and ‘Don’t Worry Darling’.
For Wilde, the moment with Cruz represents the kind of creative freedom that can happen when actors trust each other during production. Instead of following a strict plan, the unexpected choice created a scene that felt spontaneous and helped capture the unpredictable energy at the center of the film.
Cruz has also received attention for bringing a bold presence to the movie, with her character playing an important role in challenging the emotional balance of the story. The actress’s ability to make surprising choices appears to have been one of the things that impressed Wilde most during filming.
What do you think about Penélope Cruz improvising the kiss with Olivia Wilde in 'The Invite'?
The buzz around ‘The Invite’ has continued to grow as the film reaches audiences, with critics responding positively to its mix of humor and uncomfortable relationship questions. The movie currently stands as one of Wilde’s most ambitious projects as a director, combining a sharp comedy style with a story focused on human connection.
While many fans are focusing on the film’s outrageous dinner party setup and the performances from its famous cast, Wilde’s story about Cruz shows how some of the most memorable movie moments can come from unexpected decisions on set.
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