Olivia Wilde has shared her perspective on the necessity of “difficult conversations” in relationships, revealing that she believes it’s virtually impossible to keep a long-term romance alive without tackling them head-on.
speaks to PEOPLE about her new film The invitationthe 42-year-old actress reflected on the story’s central themes, admitting that maintaining a lasting connection requires far more than initial chemistry.
Wilde explained that relationships are undeniably difficult, noting that it can sometimes feel completely impossible to maintain a bond with one person for a very long period of time if you avoid having the exact kind of tough, uncomfortable discussions that the film explores.
The filmmaker’s insight comes at a time when she has been incredibly open about the romantic realities of her own life, particularly regarding her high-profile split from ex-fiancé Jason Sudeikis, with whom she shares two children, 12-year-old Otis and nine-year-old Daisy.
During a recent appearance at Call her dad podcast, Wilde admitted that it was no surprise to her that she ended up making a comedy about the enormous difficulty of knowing when a relationship is officially over, drawing heavily from her own experience.
She opened up about the exact moment she realized her relationship with the 50-year-old actor was over, recalling a particular drive home from her birthday party in March 2020.
Wilde said that she and Sudeikis had been navigating a really bumpy ride for a while, and when she asked him during the drive if he had gotten her a birthday present, he responded by asking what he even wanted to get her because he didn’t know her.
Wilde admitted that he was not wrong and that they simply did not know each other anymore.
Wilde’s latest project channeled this complex marital dynamic into a comedy centered on an unforgettable dinner party, in which she stars alongside a stellar ensemble cast including Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton.
The plot follows a married couple who invite their loud neighbors upstairs for the evening, only to be caught off guard by a shocking proposal that forces them to deeply question their own relationship.
The invitation is based on the highly acclaimed Spanish film The people upstairsa story that has already inspired numerous international adaptations across Italy, France, Switzerland and South Korea.
