The Dracula-inspired horror film The Invitation (formerly known as The Bride) is now in theatres, and just opened at #1 at the domestic box office with a weekend haul of $7 million. Our own Chris Bumbray was surprised at how bloody the film was for something with a PG-13 rating, and he mentioned that to director Jessica M. Thompson (The Light of the Moon) during an interview – which you can watch in the video embed above. Thompson said they had to darken the blood to get by with a PG-13… but during an interview with our friends at Bloody Disgusting, she also said that there is an R-rated cut of The Invitation that’s going to get a streaming release!
Thompson said,
I’m someone who thinks you lose the tension as soon as you reveal your monster. I feel like the longer you can hold it off, the better. So there’s still that keeping of mystery, but I will say there’s a bit more gore. There’s a little bit more blood. There’s a little more swearing, and the sex scene is a good chunk longer. These are all the fun things we get to do with our R-rated version.”
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Thompson directed The Invitation from a screenplay by Blair Butler, who originally pitched the project. Butler’s previous credits include Polaroid and Helstrom. Thompson handled script revisions herself. Here’s the synopsis:
After the death of her mother and having no other known relatives, Evie takes a DNA test… and discovers a long-lost cousin she never knew she had. Invited by her newfound family to a lavish wedding in the English countryside, she’s at first seduced by the sexy aristocrat host but is soon thrust into a nightmare of survival as she uncovers twisted secrets in her family’s history and the unsettling intentions behind their sinful generosity.
Nathalie Emmanuel (Game of Thrones) stars as Evie and is joined in the cast by Thomas Doherty (Descendants), Hugh Skinner (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again), Sean Pertwee (Dog Soldiers), Courtney Taylor (Insecure), Alana Boden (I Am Elizabeth Smart), and Stephanie Corneliussen (Mr. Robot).
Emile Gladstone produced the film for Screen Gems. The studio is said to be excited about The Invitation, feeling that it has franchise potential. If this one makes enough money, we might have several more Invitations to look forward to.
Our reviewer Tyler Nichols wasn’t very impressed with The Invitation; you can read his 5/10 review at THIS LINK.
Have you seen The Invitation, and would you be interested in checking out an R-rated version of the movie? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
