We’ve talked recently about how Dracula is coming back in a big way in 2023. But you don’t have to wait until next year to get a dose of Bram Stoker-influenced horror. THE INVITATION follows a young woman who, thanks to the miracle of DNA analysis, discovers she is part of a very old family. While attending a family wedding, she discovers that her new family tree might have some very old rot in it.
What follows is a mix of Gothic horror, which is openly influenced by Bram Stoker‘s novel "Dracula," and a more modern survival thriller along the lines of READY OR NOT. THE INVITATION stars the terrific Nathalie Emmanuel, who has been seen in "Game of Thrones" and the FAST AND FURIOUS movies. Get some Gothic chills by watching the trailer below, and we'll tell you everything else you need to know about THE INVITATION.
The Moody Trailer for The Invitation
A word of warning before you watch THE INVITATION trailer: It seems to show a lot of the movie. A couple of the elements that seem to be big revelations might actually be first-act story beats, in which case there's a lot more to discover. But if you want to be safe, maybe just watch the first half of this trailer.
That said, there's a great moody vibe here. This trailer for THE INVITATION also suggests that the movie veers into being a cat and mouse chase that might have more in common with the excellent READY OR NOT than it does with "Dracula."
How Much Bram Stoker Is in The Invitation?
From the first announcement of this movie's development — when it was called THE BRIDE — there has been mention that the original script by Blair Butler, which also had input from director Jessica M. Thompson, was inspired by "Dracula." This is evident from three ideas seen in the trailer.
One is obviously the suggestion of vampirism. Then there's the character called "Harker," which is a reference to the real estate agent sent to help arrange Dracula's trip from Transylvania to London. Finally, there's the notion of a vampiric bride. In the novel, Jonathan Harker is seduced by a trio of vampiric women — brides of Dracula, if you will. With all of those in mind, we still can't predict quite how indebted to "Dracula" this will be. Fortunately, it doesn't matter, thanks to the movie's lead.
Nathalie Emmanuel Can Be a Great Thriller Lead
We've enjoyed watching the work of Nathalie Emmanuel ever since she appeared as Missandei on "Game of Thrones" in 2013. UK viewers have probably loved her a lot longer since she had a long history of playing memorable roles on British television before she ended up on HBO's blockbuster series. And, of course, Emmanuel gets to do something very different as the hacker who isn't exactly a great driver in the last few FAST AND FURIOUS movies.
Perhaps more than anything else, Nathalie Emmanuel plays characters who have a very solid core — there's a quiet strength in her most notable roles. That makes her a good choice for a woman who takes a chance with her new-found relatives, and then must fight for her very existence.
Alongside Emmanuel, THE INVITATION also features Thomas Doherty, Stephanie Corneliussen, Alana Boden, Courtney Taylor, Hugh Skinner, and Sean Pertwee. It seems like most of the cast will play characters who find their aggression towards Nathalie Emmanuel's character returned tenfold.
THE INVITATION opens on August 26.
All images courtesy of Screen Gems and Sony Pictures.