_The Invitation_ began promisingly, but ultimately became a predictable film I could have anticipated easily. The initial premise was acceptable, and the second act is when I felt the movie truly succeeded. I appreciated the somewhat cruel dynamic between the two main characters. You witness a woman embracing the possibility of love, while simultaneously, the viewer understands this opportunity is founded on deception. Despite that knowledge, I found their chemistry to be remarkably strong. I was pleased as their story unfolded, even though I suspected it wouldn't have a happy ending. Nathalie Emmanuel and Thomas Doherty both deliver excellent performances in this film; I particularly enjoyed their connection, and Doherty’s portrayal of the charismatic lord hiding an otherworldly vampire felt compelling. It was quite enjoyable to watch them at work. The unsettling atmosphere shown in the trailers wasn’t really present here—it seemed most of the disturbing visuals were reserved for promotion, leaving the remainder of the film feeling rather ordinary. This becomes even more apparent when the story shifts into a vampire action sequence that feels like something out of the _Twilight_ series. At that point, I lost interest and just wanted it to be over. The sudden shift in tone didn't work well for me. Even with the disappointing final section, there are still positive aspects worth experiencing for those who were initially intrigued. **Score:** _55%_ | **Verdict:** _Average_

Source on TMDB