Jessica M. Thompson has crafted a really fun gothic Vampire romance in her film The Invitation (2022), and I'm actually really surprised that the film has received so many milquetoast reviews, although I do agree with two complaints: the trailer gives the film away, and it's just not very scary. Neither of these issues is a deal breaker, and as a critic who hungrily devours trailers, I knew what I was in for. Further, while the film isn't a jump scare gore fest, I find bullying, microaggressions, and full-throttle gaslighting pretty scary, so if viewers identify with Evie (Nathalie Emmanuel), the film definitely has its share of terrors, albeit more psychological than visceral. Most importantly, in a genre dominated by white women, The Invitation stars a BIPOC woman, who is savvy, funny, and heroic! Yes!
Evie and her fabulous bestie, Grace (Courtney Taylor) are dodging grabby hands as they cater a posh event. Evie tries to make ends meet while pursuing artistic work as a ceramicist. Just keep in mind that this film is all about fantasy, so no need to question why she has a ridiculously amazing apartment--just go with it. Evie's an orphan, and her Mom, to whom she was close, passed away recently, so when she discovers a DNA kit in the swag bag she snagged from the event, she decides to give it a try. Why not. She soon discovers that she has family, and that she's a cousin of the incredibly posh Alexander family, who reside across the pond in London. Conveniently, her cousin Oliver is in New York on business, and asks if they can meet up. Over dinner, he invites her to a family wedding in London, in order for her to meet her new family, who are eager to welcome her into the fold. Noteworthy point: the Alexanders are white, and her line on the family tree is connected to her great grandmother's dalliance with a black footman. This plot point is also patently ridiculous, but Oliver offers a free trip to London, so Evie decides to--just go with it.
She observes some staff showing up, and accidentally bumps into a young woman carrying a tray of glasses. Blam!! There's a mess, she's apologizing, and Mr. DeVille's butler (Renfield) mistakes her for the help until Walter sets him straight. The first hour of this film is just gorgeous set piece after gorgeous set piece as Evie gets seduced and charmed by Walter--spoilers, you know he's a vampire, as the film reveals "someone" feeding on the help in the dark. Sending a maid to get a specific bottle of wine is clearly the mark of death in this film, and if anyone gets out of line, to the cellar they go, or the library, or wherever else Walter is hanging out, alone and hungry. Interspersed with these moments are Evie's interactions with Walter, her extended family, the Alexanders, and then two other families that have shown up for the wedding. They have rehearsal dinners, and soirees with fireworks, and each time, Walter gives Evie an absolutely beautiful dress to wear to every function. As fantasies go, this film has it all--a dishy heartthrob suitor who is fabulously wealthy and absolutely fascinated with Evie. Grace, whom Evie checks in with daily because "cell phones," is pretty supportive about this
potential Mr. Right, but the fact that Evie's the ONLY POC in the whole film is impossible to ignore.
I really appreciate how The Invitation gives a decent backstory to Dracula's brides, and what their origin story might be. We meet Lucy (Alana Boden) and Vicktoria (Stephanie Cornieliussen) when they show up for the the wedding festivities. Viktoria is not pleased by Evie capturing Walt's attention; Lucy is just eager to have a "sister" in the family. While the film is not explicit, its pretty clear that Lucy and Viktoria are Walt's brides, women from two families to which Walt offers protection, power, and eternal life. The film opens with the Alexander bride killing herself rather than continuing to live...like a vampire, I guess. So Oliver sets his sites on Evie as soon as the DNA test results prove a match, however mixed race Evie is. For vampires, the blood, and the blood line, is what ultimately matters.
Evie is not a happy bride on her special day
When Evie realizes what is in store, and that the wedding is actually hers, she looks pretty disturbed and shocked. She goes along with it all to a point, but the bloodletting/wedding ceremony is where things go wrong for Walter and his minions, all wearing weird animal masks because??? Some stuff seems to be throwing spaghetti at a wall, but quite a bit does stick. I found the ending satisfying, but a bit abrupt, with several potential storylines unexplored. Look for a shout out to Mina and Jonathan Harker, and be prepared to identify with Evie, but know quite a bit more than she does through the whole film. The Invitation is currently streaming on Netflix, and definitely worth it if you like old school gothic flair.
