Set during a singular, memorable night, The Uninvited unfolds like a theatrical production — a fitting choice considering its ensemble of Hollywood luminaries who once acted on stage in their formative years. Structured in three acts, the film operates like a gradually intensifying pressure cooker, where every instant threatens to spark.

Crafted by Nadia Conners, who both penned and directed the film, The Uninvited serves as a platform for thespians, and the film fully utilizes its formidable cast. Featuring performances by Walton Goggins (Conners’ real-life spouse), Pedro Pascal, Elizabeth Reaser, Rufus Sewell, and Lois Smith, the film leans into its theatrical roots, delivering rich exchanges and emotionally charged moments that enable each performer to shine brightly.

Set within an opulent Hollywood estate, the narrative revolves around former actress Rose (Reaser) and her spouse Sammy (Goggins), a high-profile agent. The couple orchestrates a carefully curated, high-stakes garden gathering, with Sammy aiming to seal business deals and attract new clients — including Rose’s charming former lover, movie star Lucien (Pascal). Among the attendees are Sammy’s leading client, Gerard (Sewell), and up-and-coming starlet Delia (Eva De Dominici).

However, the night takes an unforeseen twist when an elderly woman named Helen (Smith) appears, asserting that she once resided in the house. Disoriented and with a fragmented memory, her presence swiftly becomes the emotional core of the film. As Rose and Sammy navigate the complexities of party dynamics, parenting obligations, and Helen’s care, deeply buried truths start to emerge.

At its essence, The Uninvited is a project for actors. Conners’ script provides the cast with the opportunity to delve into their roles through lengthy, uninterrupted scenes. Goggins shines in his portrayal of Sammy, a man desperately clinging to his waning significance. His unraveling — whether sequestered in a bathroom or philosophizing about art on a balcony — is both heart-wrenching and comical. Sewell, as the self-absorbed Gerard, delivers one of the film’s standout performances, his drug-induced monologues walking the line between satire and authenticity.

Central to the narrative is Rose, whose interaction with Lucien prompts her to face the life and career she has left behind. Reaser brings a profound depth and frailty to the character, depicting a woman torn between nostalgia and the quest for self-rediscovery. The chemistry between her and Goggins is tangible, their relationship illuminating the fissures in a marriage built on façades and mutual reliance.

Pascal, ideally cast as the enigmatic Lucien, personifies the quintessential Hollywood heartthrob with a complex backstory. Recently sober and rife with unaddressed emotions, he glides through the soirée with both charm and regret, rekindling past passions and inciting turmoil. His flirtations with Delia and lingering looks at Rose inject tension and emotional weight into the evening’s happenings.

The film also delves into Hollywood’s obsession with youth and beauty. Rose’s exchanges with Delia — initially condescending but subsequently more sympathetic — underscore the generational divide and the expectations placed on women in the industry. Although some of these interactions feel somewhat contrived, they enhance the overarching narrative regarding aging, relevance, and self-worth.

Amidst the tumult, Helen emerges as the film’s quiet observer of truth. Despite her fragmented recollections, she perceives the pretenses of those around her. Smith embodies the role with nuance and humor, anchoring the film with a portrayal that is both poignant and incisive. As Helen’s past gradually intertwines with Rose and Sammy’s present, her presence evolves into more than just a mystery — she acts as a spark for introspection and transformation.

In its concluding act, The Uninvited flirts with themes reminiscent of classic self-reflection narratives like It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol. At one point, a drug-influenced Sammy even quips about undergoing a Capra-esque wake-up call. While the film doesn’t entirely embrace this narrative device, it utilizes the party as a transformative crucible, where characters confront their current selves, their former identities, and the possibilities of who they could still become.

The Uninvited may not be an event you would eagerly attend, but it’s one that will linger in memory. With an exceptional cast, a sharp script, and a backdrop that strips its characters bare, it’s a fascinating examination of identity, regret, and the roles we inhabit — both on stage and in life.

The Uninvited premieres in New York City on April 11 and hits UK cinemas on May 9.