‘The Invitation’ Review: Numbingly Predictable Horror Thriller Packs a Few Last-Minute Twists

Prince William sent a last minute text to Prince Harry inviting him and Meghan Markle to Windsor Castle to view tributes for the Queen and greet the crowds, according to reports.

A group of wealthy people arrive on a mysterious island and receive the meal of a lifetime in Mark Mylod’s psychological thriller The Menu. Written by Seth Reiss and Will Tracy, the film stars Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor Joy. 

A group of wealthy people arrive on a mysterious island and receive the meal of a lifetime in Mark Maylod’s psychological thriller The Menu. Written by Seth Reiss and Will Tracy, the film stars Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor Joy. 

“What do ya expect?”The film sinks into the atmosphere of beautiful desolation on the island, with its hardscrabble existence, its sense of community, its cows wandering between green fields bordered by stone walls, its impromptu renditions of fiddle reels and folk tunes like “I’m a Man You Don’t Meet Every Day.” You anticipate some kind of explosion because this is Martin McDonagh, but before it arrives the low-key, gentle pace is richly satisfying, and the conversations between Pádraic and Colm (or the lack of conversations, when Colm gets his way) are a delight. Farrell and Gleeson are born to the rhythms of McDonagh’s dialogue, which seems both precise and tossed off, and the casual connection between them is never less than sheer pleasure.Eventually, Colm delivers a gruesome ultimatum of what he’ll do if Pádraic speaks to him again.

Romain Gavras wastes no time in “Athena” informing the audience of the stakes. There have been three cases of police brutality within two months in the titular majority-minority community.

Peter Debruge Chief Film Critic There is no Athena housing project in Paris. That’s a name invented by “Athena” director Romain Gavras and partner in crime Ladj Ly for the banlieu apartment block that becomes a kind of makeshift fortress in an epic standoff between residents — first- and second-generation Black and Arab immigrants tired of being mistreated — and the French national police. Naming it thus lends what unfolds there a classical resonance, one that ties Gavras’ astonishing third feature to the tradition of Greek tragedy, though the situation could hardly be more timely. “Athena” tells the story of four brothers, one murdered on camera by a group of unidentified men in police uniforms, the three others torn about what to do next. Who were these assailants, shown stomping an innocent 13-year-old to death? Why does the French police seem to be protecting the culprits? And what will it take to obtain justice?

Outlander is one of the most iconic romance fantasy shows of recent years, skyrocketing the careers of leads Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan and creating a global fanbase.

EXCLUSIVE: Pact and Bectu have agreed a last minute extension to the UK TV Drama Agreement negotiations, resurrecting the possibility of a deal being struck over the next month.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter If three new movies debut in theaters, but nobody goes to see them… That is how Sony’s creepy thriller “The Invitation” managed to top box office charts with a paltry $7 million. Its win comes with some pretty weak bragging rights; it’s the lowest first-place finish since May 2021, when COVID was keeping people at home. Now, it’s not the pandemic that’s preventing audiences from going to theaters, it’s the lack of appealing options. Overall, the domestic box office generated just $54 million over the weekend, the worst collective result in months. And the bad times are expected to continue until at least late September or early October, when “Don’t Worry Darling” (Sept. 23), “Halloween Ends” (Oct. 14) and the comic book adaptation “Black Adam” (Oct. 21) open in theaters. It’s a disappointing finale to an otherwise strong summer at the movies, which fielded plenty of box office hits including “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” “Thor: Love and Thunder” and “Elvis.”

Lynks has announced that they will play a special secret set at Reading Festival 2022 this afternoon (August 28) – get all the details below.The 2022 edition of the festival concludes today with headline sets from The 1975 and Halsey, while secret sets from Pendulum, Don Broco and more have peppered the weekend.Taking to Twitter to confirm their appearance, Lynks confirmed that they will perform on the BBC Introducing Stage in Reading at 2.45pm this afternoon.Get all the details below.

J. Kim Murphy In a summer that’s often seen only one new wide release in a weekend, a whopping three new films hit theaters on Friday: Sony’s horror-thriller “The Invitation,” George Miller’s “Three Thousand Years of Longing” and bank heist movie “Breaking,” starring John Boyega. However, none of them seem to be making much of an impact, as the total box office projects a sum in the $50 million to $60 million range. That wouldn’t just be the worst weekend of the summer, but also the worst since February. “The Invitation” is tracking ahead of the other two, as it looks to claim the weekend’s top spot with a meagre $6 million to $7 million gross from 3,114 locations in its opening. Critics didn’t really care for the movie — it landed a 40% approval rating from review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes — and audiences were perhaps more unenthused. The film holds a “C” grade from research firm Cinema Score, indicating a rather snoozy reception from general consumers.

Wargasm have announced a last-minute show at Reading Festival 2022.The London duo – comprising Milkie Way and Sam Matlock – will open the event’s Main Stage East at 12pm tomorrow (August 27) ahead of sets from the likes of AJ Tracey, Wolf Alice and headliners Arctic Monkeys.Enter Shikari – whose new single ‘The Void Stares Back’ features a guest appearance from Wargasm – are also scheduled to perform at Reading tomorrow (Main Stage West, 16:50), suggesting that a live collaboration could be on the cards.It’s not yet known whether Wargasm will fill the same vacant slot at Leeds Festival on Sunday (August 28).

Danielle Armstrong is preparing to wed her childhood sweetheart Tom Edney this weekend after much planning to make sure the big day goes just right. The former TOWIE star, 34, got engaged to Tom in 2020 and the pair are proud parents to two year old daughter Orla. Ahead of the big day, the bride to be sported an all-white ensemble as she headed to her wedding venue with pal Ferne McCann.