The Invite (2026) intimacy scene breakdown: Seth Rogen, Olivia Wilde, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton's sexy, cringe swinging comedy.

An intimacy coordinator's take on consent, chemistry, and couple swapping

This week on Faking It, intimacy coordinators Morgan Smith and Ariel break down The Invite (2026), Olivia Wilde's A24 comedy about a married couple, Joe (Seth Rogen) and Angela (Olivia Wilde), whose upstairs neighbors Piña (Penélope Cruz) and Hawk (Edward Norton) invite them into something far outside their comfort zone. It's one of the most deliciously awkward sex scenes we've covered, and we're here for all of it.

We're talking:

• Why authenticity can be more valuable than instant chemistry
• What happens when one partner's ready to go when the other is not
• How characters' personalities can continue when scenes get spicy
• The psychology of kink, control, and surrender in a sex scene
• Whether this scene really needed an intimacy coordinator

Watch along timestamps:

• The Invite: "The Scene": 1:13:05

About the film

The Invite (2026) is directed by Olivia Wilde, written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones, and distributed by A24. It's an English-language remake of Cesc Gay's 2020 Spanish film The People Upstairs (Sentimental). It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2026, opened wide July 10, 2026, and is streaming on digital platforms now, with HBO Max to follow.

Subscribe to Faking It the Pod for behind the scenes breakdowns of the most iconic sex scenes in film and TV from two working intimacy coordinators. New episodes every other week wherever you get your podcasts.

Comment below with the movie or TV intimacy scene we should analyze next!

Stay real, fakers.

#TheInvite #OliviaWilde #SethRogen #IntimacyCoordinator

Research sources:

• Boston.com: Olivia Wilde on her Boston-area roots, her love of Diane Keaton, and the discomfort of The Invite
• TIME: Olivia Wilde interview on The Invite
• SAG-AFTRA Foundation interview
• Seth Rogen on Jimmy Kimmel Live
• IMDb: The Invite
• Deadline: Amy Adams, Paul Rudd, Tessa Thompson join The Invite (2023)

Support the show

Connect & Support the Show
Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube.
Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes.
Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod
Website: FakingItThePod.com
Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz

Subscribe & Review
Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us.

Stay real, Fakers.

For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.