The Uninvited
Living a luxurious life in Hollywood Hills, Rose and Sammy have it all worked out on paper. Sammy (Walton Goggins) is a successful agent to the stars, Rose (Elizabeth Reaser) is an actress taking time out to raise their toddler. But severe cracks have started to form under the surface of the couple’s relationship. This evening, the family are throwing a party for Sammy’s clients and friends, but before the event even begins, the night is thrown into chaos when an elderly woman arrives on the family’s doorstep, claiming the house is hers. With guests arriving, alcohol being consumed, and past relationships igniting, Rose and Sammy are forced to confront and reflect on their problems to see the true meaning of happiness.
Formulated into a flow of different engagements and conversations, The Uninvited is a clever film that is heavily carried fantastically by its two leads. The arrival of the frail Helen forces Sammy and Rose to face up to the realities of their flaws, meaning Goggins and Reaser go on a journey through their emotions, from passion to anxiety, and ultimately guilt and betrayal. The endearing supporting cast, including Pedro Pascal and Rufus Sewell, assist in the storytelling, but represent the greater dysfunctionality of Hollywood and how your career can ignite or combust in moments.
Told almost in two halves via Reaser and Goggins, The Uninvited is a deep dive into the uncomfortable truths of ageing, motherhood and the loneliness that comes with it. Rose and Helen are mirrors of each other that reflect the past, present and future, and as complex as this may seem, it is through the reflective and well-crafted storytelling of director and writer Nadia Connors that the concept becomes understandable. Through this style of writing, the feature could easily transfer to the theatre, and it feels as though you are watching a play unfold rather than a movie. This places a refreshing emphasis on the acting rather than explosive drama.
The movie is also gorgeously shot, with the cinematography and colour palette showing off the beauty of California at sunset and night time, and this also contributes to what is a really touching story as the camera twists and turns around the mansion.
The downfall of the movie is that too much happens in a short time, meaning the dramatic twists and turns are not given enough space to breathe before being cast aside for the next event. A past connection between Reaser and Pascal’s character, for example, is completely believable, but what unfurls at the party drastically strays into the unrealistic or inexplicable at breakneck speed before being totally forgotten about ten minutes later.
The film won best drama at the San Diego Film Festival and will find its audience, but whether it is widely watched by casual viewers is less clear. What Connor has created is an intriguing and complex drama that will appeal to those hungry for a dose of self-reflection and reconciliation.
Guy Lambert
The Uninvited is released nationwide on 9th May 2025.
Watch the trailer for The Uninvited here:
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