An Invitation to THE INVITATION

In the 3rd episode of "An Invitation to DESTROYER," host Jim Penola discusses Karyn Kusama's fascination with coyotes as a symbol of untamed rage, the importance of DESTROYER's mother/daughter dynamic, and the ways that Dire Straits may be the code to understanding Erin Bell. Support the show•••Shout-out to some of my lovely & amazing patrons: Rupa dasGupta, John Penola, Jane Penola, and Joseph Penola. ⚫ Get early access, extended episodes, and the Patreon-exclusive companion podcast "Ellipsis" only at Patreon.com/jimpenola ⚫ Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation ⚫ Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com•••

In the 2nd episode of "An Invitation to DESTROYER," host Jim Penola elaborates on the film's unflinching portrait of a moral but self-immolating woman in the form of Erin Bell (Nicole Kidman). Beneath and within Bell's many layers lies a tragic variation of the classic Femme Fatale archetype. One that stands out amid a recent glut of female-fronted action movies that, while technically pro-woman, also have little to offer beyond that.Support the show•••Shout-out to some of my lovely & amazing patrons: Rupa dasGupta, John Penola, Jane Penola, and Joseph Penola. ⚫ Get early access, extended episodes, and the Patreon-exclusive companion podcast "Ellipsis" only at Patreon.com/jimpenola ⚫ Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation ⚫ Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com•••

In the inaugural episode of "An Invitation to DESTROYER," host Jim Penola recreates and breaks down the first 4 pages of 2018's DESTROYER, directed by Karyn Kusama and written by Phil Hay & Matt Manfredi. The subsequent analysis celebrates the clarity of the screenplay, the confidence of the direction, and the feminist context that drove its creation.Support the show•••Shout-out to some of my lovely & amazing patrons: Rupa dasGupta, John Penola, and Jane Penola. ⚫ Get early access, extended episodes, and the Patreon-exclusive companion podcast "Ellipsis" only at Patreon.com/jimpenola ⚫ Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation ⚫ Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com•••

A special "one-off" bonus episode dedicated to The Wachowskis' JUPITER ASCENDING (2015). | Original Score by John Penola | Artwork by Jim Penola | Shout-out to some of my lovely & amazing patrons: Rupa dasGupta, John Penola, and Jane Penola. | Receive exclusive/extended/uncut content, early access, and more at Patreon.com/jimpenola | Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation | Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com |

A special "one-off" bonus episode dedicated to Disney's COOL RUNNINGS (1993). | Original Score by John Penola | Artwork by Joseph Penola | Shout-out to some of my lovely & amazing patrons: Rupa dasGupta, John Penola, Stephanie Pavlick, and Jane Penola. | Receive exclusive/extended/uncut content, early access, and more at Patreon.com/jimpenola | Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation | Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com |

This unique bonus episode compiles all 15 of the "radio play" portions from the limited series "An Invitation to THE INVITATION" into one seamless aural experience. Sit back, relax, and enjoy this one-of-a-kind re-telling of Phil Hay & Matt Manfredi's superb screenplay –– complete with every deleted and extended scene that didn't make it to the film's final cut. | Script: Phil Hay & Matt Manfredi | Original Score: John Penola | Production, Editing, Sound Design: Jim Penola | Voice Cast (in alphabetical order): Michael Barnett, Jess Kellner, Tighe Kellner,  Summer Mastain, Jim Penola, Christina Roman, Ryan Smith, Rebecca Spiro. | Shout-out to some of my lovely & amazing patrons: Rupa dasGupta, John Penola, Stephanie Pavlick, and Jane Penola. | Receive exclusive/uncut content, early access, and more at Patreon.com/jimpenola | Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation | Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com |

In the 7th (and likely final) bonus episode of the series, Jim Penola sits down for an extended talk with who else? Karyn Kusama. During their conversation from December 2020, Jim and Karyn –– often through the unavoidable-but-revealing lens of Covid –– discuss the ways THE INVITATION remains ahead of its time, as well as the way it thoughtfully addresses evergreen human dilemmas. Enjoy. | Shout-out to some of my lovely & amazing patrons: Rupa dasGupta, John Penola, Stephanie Pavlick, and Jane Penola. | Receive exclusive/uncut content, early access, and more at Patreon.com/jimpenola | Original Score by John Penola | Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation | Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com |

In the 6th bonus episode of the series, Jim Penola sits down for an extended talk with prolific indie actor Lindsay Burdge (A Teacher, Easy, Thirst Street, Black Bear) who of course plays Sadie. During their conversation from December 2020, Lindsay and Jim discuss (among many other things) their shared struggle to uphold small talk and social decorum during the best of times, let alone during a pandemic. Additionally, Lindsay describes the uniquely sensitive and adaptive directing style of Karyn Kusama. Enjoy. | Shout-out to some of my lovely & amazing patrons: Rupa dasGupta, John Penola, Stephanie Pavlick, and Jane Penola. | Receive exclusive/uncut content, early access, and more at Patreon.com/jimpenola | Original Score by John Penola | Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation | Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com |

In the 5th bonus episode of the series, Jim Penola sits down for an extended talk with revered character actor John Carroll Lynch (Fargo, Zodiac, The Founder, American Horror Story, Big Sky). During their conversation from December 12th, 2020, JCL and Jim discuss everything from on-set pull-up contests all the way to the universal need for forgiveness. Enjoy. | Shout-out to some of my lovely & amazing patrons: Rupa dasGupta, John Penola, Stephanie Pavlick, and Jane Penola. | Receive exclusive/uncut content, early access, and more at Patreon.com/jimpenola | Original Score by John Penola | Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation | Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com |

In the 4th bonus episode of the series, Jim Penola sits down for an extended talk with THE INVITATION's co-star, Mike Doyle. During their conversation from December 4th, 2020, Mike discusses his long history with Logan Marshall-Green, his hilarious/fortuitous introduction to the film's screenplay, and the important ways THE INVITATION side-steps cliché. | Shout-out to some of my lovely & amazing patrons: Rupa dasGupta, John Penola, Stephanie Pavlick, and Jane Penola. | Receive exclusive/uncut content, early access, and more at Patreon.com/jimpenola | Original Score by John Penola | Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation | Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com |

In the 3rd bonus episode of the series, Jim Penola sits down for an extended talk with THE INVITATION's star, Logan Marshall-Green. During their conversation from November 28th, 2020, Logan and Jim discuss a wide variety of topics including what made THE INVITATION's on-set family so special, the dilemma of waking up to societal grief, and much more.  | Shout-out to some of my lovely & amazing patrons: Rupa dasGupta, John Penola, Stephanie Pavlick, and Jane Penola. | Receive exclusive/uncut content, early access, and more at Patreon.com/jimpenola | Original Score by John Penola | Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation | Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com |

In the 2nd bonus episode of the series, Jim Penola sits down for an extended talk with THE INVITATION's co-writer, co-producer––and 1st gentlemen to Karyn Kusama––Phil Hay.During their conversation from November 21st, 2020, Phil and Jim cover the pervasive nature of grief, the purpose of creating art, and the connection & dialogue each can create.| Shout-out to some of my lovely & amazing patrons: Rupa dasGupta, John Penola, Stephanie Pavlick, and Jane Penola. | Receive exclusive/uncut content, early access, and more at Patreon.com/jimpenola | Original Score by John Penola | Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation | Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com |

In the first bonus episode for "An Invitation to THE INVITATION," Jim Penola welcomes his first ever guest, Matt Manfredi (DESTROYER, RIDE ALONG 1 & 2, etc.), co-writer and co-producer of THE INVITATION.In this full-length conversation recorded during November 2020, Jim and Matt touch on the film's deeply personal nature, the benefits of studio movies vs. independent ones, and the distinct, collaborative role of the writer. | Shout-out to some of my lovely & amazing patrons: Rupa dasGupta, John Penola, Stephanie Pavlick, and Jane Penola. | Receive exclusive/uncut content, early access, and more at Patreon.com/jimpenola | Original Score by John Penola | Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation | Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com |

In the final episode of the series, host Jim Penola insists that the THE INVITATION’s unforgettable ending transcends its inherent bleakness and offers a universal solidarity within its depiction of great loss. | Original Score by John Penola | Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation | Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com |

In the penultimate episode of the series, Jim Penola celebrates THE INVITATION's cathartic subversion of genre cliche´ while acknowledging the potential cost of those choices. Similarly, the film's deliberate and measured use of violence comes to the forefront as a career-long theme of internalized trauma emerges. | Original Score by John Penola | Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation | Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com |

In episode 13, Jim Penola finally tackles the brutal and stunning climax of THE INVITATION––touching on the film's long-gestating turn towards the horrific, Karyn Kusama's increasingly destabilized camera, as well as her striking, painterly visuals. | Original Score by John Penola | Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation | Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com |

In episode 12, Jim Penola explores THE INVITATION's sinister & inextricable ties to Los Angeles, the necessity of rigidly adhering to Will's (Logan Marshall-Green) point-of-view, and the striking deleted scene revealing Claire's (Marieh Delfino) fate. | Original Score by John Penola | Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation | Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com |

In episode 11, Jim Penola addresses Will's (Logan Marshall-Green) climactic meltdown at the dinner table––discussing how the conspicuous absence of Choi (Karl Yune) functions as a terrific red herring but also gets to the heart of what Will's real issue is with his hosts: their erasure of his son, Ty. | Original Score by John Penola | Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation | Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com |

In episode 10, Jim Penola contrasts the differences between Will's (Logan Marshall-Green) interactions with Sadie (Lindsay Burdge) and Tommy (Mike Doyle). These memorable exchanges bring Will's only trusted instinct to the foreground: survival. | Original Score by John Penola | Additional Audio Production by Brandon Sheer | Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation | Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com |

In episode 9, Jim Penola highlights THE INVITATION's unflinching-yet-cathartic depiction of isolation––using Will's internal meltdown at the dinner table as a means to examine the ways emotionally posturing can often do more harm than good. | Original Score by John Penola | Additional Audio Production by Brandon Sheer | Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation | Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com |

In episode 8, host Jim Penola continues his discussion around the unsettling party game introduced in the previous installment – addressing, in detail, the complicated wants and relative moral ambiguity of the film's antagonists. | Original Score by John Penola | Additional Audio Production by Brandon Sheer | Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation | Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com |

In episode 7, host Jim Penola breaks down & analyzes the party game presented by David (Michiel Huisman) and its stealthily insidious goal of obliterating personal boundaries. | Original Score by John Penola | Additional Audio Production by Brandon Sheer | Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation | Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com |

In episode 6, host Jim Penola discusses the double meaning of the film's title, the complex discomfort of David's recruitment video, and the "false promises of beauty" expressed by the script. | Original Score by John Penola | Additional Audio Production by Brandon Sheer | Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation | Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com |

In episode 5 – focusing on pages 26 through 30 of THE INVITATION's screenplay – host Jim Penola highlights the aching, self-destructive, Man-versus-Self conflict on display during this section of the film. | Original Score by John Penola | Additional Audio Production by Brandon Sheer | Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation | Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com |

In episode 4, host Jim Penola analyzes pages 21 through 26 of THE INVITATION's original script and corresponding final cut – discussing the notable arrival of Pruitt (John Carroll Lynch) and the subsequent verbal parrying between Will (Logan Marshall-Green) and David (Michiel Huisman). Furthermore, the way social decorum and the fear of offending can mute one's survival becomes even more embedded in the film's DNA. | Original Score by John Penola | Additional Audio Production by Brandon Sheer | Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation | Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com |

In episode 3, Jim Penola breaks down pages 15 through 21 of THE INVITATION's script and its on-screen counterpart––putting an emphasis on the film's cutting depiction of memory. | Original Score by John Penola | Additional Audio Production by Brandon Sheer | Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation | Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com |

In episode 2, host Jim Penola continues his deep dive of THE INVITATION with a reading of pages 6 through 15 of the screenplay––exploring the indelible score by Theodore Shapiro, the introduction of the ensemble cast, and the way those supporting players might amplify Will's (Logan Marshall-Green) grief instead of relieve it. | Original Score by John Penola | Additional Audio Production by Brandon Sheer | Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation | Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com |

"An Invitation to THE INVITATION" is a limited podcast series discussing Karyn Kusama's critically-acclaimed Suspense/Drama THE INVITATION (2015) scene-by-scene. Hosted by Jim Penola, each episode starts with a reading of a scene or scenes from the original script, followed by an analysis of those scenes – the resulting experience forming a radio-play-meets-film-criticism hybrid. Film fans, horror junkies, and podcast listeners: RSVP now.

In the inaugural episode of "An Invitation to THE INVITATION," host Jim Penola recites and breaks down the first 6 pages of the shooting script for 2015's THE INVITATION (the acclaimed suspense/drama directed by Karyn Kusama and written by Phil Hay & Matt Manfredi). As per the structure of the series, Penola contrasts the selected pages with the final cut of the film – noting the similarities and differences and how they fit into the greater thematic ideas of the story.