The Invitation Director Jessica M. Thompson on Making Her Horror Movie in a Báthory Family Castle

From director Jessica M. Thompson and writer Blair Butler, The Invitation follows the story of a struggling artist named Evie (Nathalie Emmanuel) who finds herself looking for family and connection after the recent death of her mother. After taking a mail-in DNA test, she’s surprised by some unexpected results — and when her long-lost cousin Oliver (Hugh Skinner) invites her overseas to attend a wedding in an effort to introduce her to more extended family, Evie reluctantly agrees, finding herself at a lavish manor in the English countryside owned by a very handsome and mysterious host in Walter (Thomas Doherty). As the wedding draws nearer, strange things begin to happen around the mansion — and Evie is torn between a potential new romance with Walter and hidden horrors that may be lurking in not only the house’s depths but her family’s ancient history. The movie also stars Stephanie Corneliussen as Viktoria, Alana Boden as Lucy, Courtney Taylor as Grace, and Sean Pertwee as Mr. Fields. Ah