The Strangers and 20 best Halloween movies and shows to watch on Netflix (plus 12 to skip) in 2023

The Invitation

The Invitation is a good movie; it’s just not a great horror film. The Sony film ended up suffering from mismarketing. It’s more of a gothic romance in the vein of Crimson Peak than it is a fright fest. Inspired by Bram Stoker’s classic novel Dracula, The Invitation follows a young woman named Evie (played by Game of Thrones star Nathalie Emmanuel), mourning the loss of her mother, her only known relative.

Feeling lonely, Evie takes a DNA test to see if there’s anyone else out there and is startled to discover she has family in the English countryside. She’s invited to a wedding there and finds herself entranced by the handsome and seductive host. Not long after arriving, Evie uncovers dark secrets about her family history and realizes she’s walked right into a nightmare.

If you enjoy romantic novels, especially dark romances involving vampires, then The Invitation will probably be right up your alley. It doesn’t hurt that Thomas Doherty is perfectly cast as the seductive male lead. Even though The Invitation falls short as a horror film, it’s still enjoyable in some ways. It may not be what you’re looking for this Halloween.

VERDICT: Skip